Air Canada has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights after its cabin crew refused to comply with a government back-to-work order, extending disruption to the airline’s schedule.
The carrier had planned to resume limited services on Sunday evening but said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents its flight attendants, had directed members to ignore a ruling from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) requiring them to return to work.
Canada’s largest airline confirmed around 240 flights due to operate from Sunday afternoon had been cancelled.
On a typical day, Air Canada and its subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge, run around 700 flights. Services are now expected to resume from Monday evening.
The dispute centres on demands for higher pay, improved pensions and benefits, better ground pay, and increased crew rest. Despite eight months of negotiations, no deal has been reached.
Canada’s jobs and families minister, Patty Hajdu, said on Saturday she had exercised her authority under the Canada Labour Code to direct the CIRB to arbitrate the dispute.
Air Canada described CUPE’s move as “illegal” and said it was assessing next steps as talks remain at an impasse.
