What's happened
On August 19, 2025, Air Canada and its flight attendants union reached a tentative agreement ending a strike that disrupted about 130,000 travelers daily during the peak summer season. The deal addresses key union demands, including pay for unpaid ground work. Flights will gradually resume over 7-10 days, with some cancellations continuing as operations stabilize.
What's behind the headline?
Strike Impact and Resolution
The Air Canada flight attendants strike exposed deep tensions between labor rights and economic pressures during a critical travel period. The union’s insistence on compensation for unpaid ground work challenged traditional airline labor practices, highlighting evolving expectations for fair pay beyond flight hours.
Government Intervention and Union Resistance
The federal government’s use of binding arbitration and the Canada Industrial Relations Board’s declaration of the strike as illegal underscored the state's prioritization of economic stability over labor action. The union’s defiance of these orders reflects a broader labor movement resistance to perceived erosion of workers’ rights.
Operational Challenges Ahead
Restoring Air Canada’s full schedule will be complex, requiring up to 10 days to reposition aircraft and crews. Passengers should anticipate ongoing disruptions, emphasizing the strike’s lasting operational impact.
Broader Implications
This strike sets a precedent for labor negotiations in the aviation sector, particularly regarding compensation for non-flight duties. It also illustrates the delicate balance governments must strike between protecting economic interests and respecting labor rights.
Forecast
The tentative agreement will likely stabilize Air Canada’s operations in the short term. However, the union’s strong stance may inspire similar demands across the industry, potentially reshaping airline labor contracts in Canada and beyond.
What the papers say
Leyland Cecco in The Guardian details the government's decisive intervention, noting that "Canada’s industrial relations board has declared a strike by 10,000 flight attendants illegal" and that the union "defied two orders from a regulatory tribunal to return to work." The Guardian highlights the union's criticism of the government’s actions as "violating our Charter rights" and the strike’s economic impact, with Prime Minister Mark Carney calling the stalled negotiations "disappointing."
Gulf News focuses on the strike’s impact on UAE travelers, reporting that "the week-long labour dispute... has now ended with a tentative agreement," but warns that "a full return to regular operations will not be immediate," quoting Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau on the complexity of restoring schedules.
The South China Morning Post emphasizes the breakthrough on unpaid ground work, quoting the union: "Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power," and notes the airline’s offer of a 38% compensation increase over four years, which the union found insufficient.
AP News and The Independent provide concise updates on the resumption of talks and the strike’s scale, confirming that "about 130,000 travelers a day" were affected and that the union remained defiant despite the strike being declared illegal.
Together, these sources paint a comprehensive picture of a high-stakes labor dispute resolved through government intervention and negotiation, with significant operational and economic consequences.
How we got here
The strike began early August 17, 2025, after 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job over wage disputes and unpaid ground work compensation. The Canadian government declared the strike illegal and ordered a return to work, but the union defied these orders. Binding arbitration was imposed, and after eight months of stalled negotiations, talks resumed leading to a tentative deal.
Go deeper
- What were the main issues behind the Air Canada strike?
- How will the strike resolution affect Air Canada passengers?
- What role did the Canadian government play in ending the strike?
Common question
-
What’s Next for Travelers After the Air Canada Strike Resumes?
The recent resumption of talks between Air Canada and its union has left many travelers wondering what the future holds. With ongoing negotiations over pay and unpaid work, the situation remains tense. If you're planning to fly with Air Canada soon, or just want to understand your rights during airline disputes, this page covers everything you need to know about the latest developments and how they might affect your travel plans.
-
Are Outbreaks Like Legionnaires' Becoming More Common in Cities?
Urban areas are increasingly facing public health threats like Legionnaires' disease, especially with aging infrastructure and climate factors. Many wonder if these outbreaks are on the rise and what cities are doing to prevent them. Below, we explore common questions about urban health risks and how residents can stay safe.
-
How Did Real Madrid Start Their Season with New Signings?
Real Madrid's 2025-2026 season kicked off with a narrow 1-0 victory, featuring new signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen. Fans and analysts are curious about how these fresh faces are fitting into the team and what this means for Madrid's ambitions this year. Below, we explore the details of Madrid's season opener, the impact of their new signings, and what to expect moving forward.
More on these topics
-
Air Canada is the flag carrier and the largest airline of Canada by fleet size and passengers carried. Air Canada maintains its headquarters in Montreal, Quebec.
-
The Canada Industrial Relations Board is an independent tribunal responsible for interpreting and administering the Industrial Relations and Occupational Health and Safety sections of the Canada Labour Code.
-
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest c
-
Patricia A. Hajdu PC MP is a Canadian Liberal politician who was elected to represent the riding of Thunder Bay—Superior North in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 federal election.
-
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is a Canadian trade union serving the public sector – although it has in recent years organized workplaces in the non-profit and para-public sector as well.
-
A flight attendant, also known as steward/stewardess or air host/air hostess, is a member of the aircrew aboard commercial flights, many business jets and some government aircraft.
-
Mark Joseph Carney OC is an economist and banker who served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 until 2013 and the Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.