August 17th, 2025 - Air Canada Flight Attendants Vow to Defy Back-to-Work Order

The union representing Air Canada’s 10,000 flight attendants announced on Sunday that it would defy the government’s back-to-work order and continue its strike, which had already caused severe disruptions to travel throughout the country. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) argued that the order was unconstitutional and violated the charter rights of its members, who they claim are subjected to unpaid labor. The union also demanded a fair contract and proper compensation for all hours worked, including those on the ground before and after flights.

The flight attendants’ strike began over wage disputes and a demand for payment for time spent working on the ground, before the cabin door closes and after it reopens. Under the current system, attendants are only paid for the time during which the cabin door is closed. The union also announced plans to seek an injunction from the Federal Court of Canada to block the back-to-work order.

Air Canada, which is the country’s dominant carrier, had already been facing significant disruption, with roughly 700 flights grounded daily, affecting around 130,000 passengers. The airline had attempted to rebook passengers but faced challenges due to a lack of available capacity with smaller domestic competitors. Many travelers were left stranded at airports, with some unable to contact the airline, and others booked on flights days later, which were likely to be canceled too.

In response to the ongoing disruption, the Canadian government intervened and instructed the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to use binding arbitration to end the strike. The CIRB ordered the flight attendants to return to work by 2 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday. However, Air Canada’s statement indicated that full service recovery would take a week to 10 days.

While the union's defiance of the back-to-work order has raised concerns, including potential legal consequences, experts like David J. Doorey, a professor of workplace law, indicated that the union’s stance is more of a political maneuver than a purely legal one. The flight attendants may be hoping for a similar result to a recent situation in Ontario, where teachers defied a back-to-work order and ultimately forced the government to back down.

Despite the pressure on the union, if they continue to defy the order, they could face substantial fines, which could reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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