Air Canada flight attendants say they will defy a federal back-to-work order and continue their strike, setting up a major showdown with the airline and the government.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered both the company and striking staff to resume service for all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights starting at 2 p.m. Sunday. The airline said earlier in the day that flights would gradually restart in the evening.
But the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 10,000 flight attendants, issued a statement rejecting the order. The union called the directive “blatantly unconstitutional” and a violation of its members’ Charter rights.
“We remain on strike. We demand a fair, negotiated contract and to be compensated for all hours worked,” the union said.
Outside Toronto Pearson International Airport, lines of striking workers marched with signs reading “We love our passengers, not poverty pay” and “Would you work for free?” Cars honked in support as demonstrators chanted against unpaid work.
Wesley Lesosky, president of CUPE’s Air Canada component, said the strike is legal and workers will continue protesting. “This ends when we say it’s over, because we have something happening at the table,” he said.
Air Canada has not yet responded to the union’s announcement. The Montreal-based airline warned it will take at least a week to restore full operations because of the service shutdown that began Saturday, meaning more flight cancellations are expected in the coming days.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
