THUNDER BAY – The Canadian Industrial Relations Board is ordering 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants to end their strike and return to work.
The Board has deemed the ongoing strike illegal.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, on Saturday defied a back-to-work order issued by Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, forcing the airline to continue grounding its flights.
They estimate nearly 500,000 passengers have been impacted by the walkout, which was followed by Air Canada issuing a lockout order.
According to a report from the CIRB, signed by vice-chair Jennifer Webster, the board declared the strike to be illegal and issued a set of directives.
“The union and its officers are ordered to immediately cease all activities that declare or authorize an unlawful strike of its members and to direct the members of the bargaining unit to resume the performance of their duties,” the report reads.
“The members of the union’s bargaining unit are directed to resume the performance of their duties immediately and to refrain from engaging in unlawful strike activities.
“The union and its officers shall provide written public notice, either through its website or other means, to all members by 12 p.m. EDT on Aug. 18, 2025, that it has revoked its declaration or authorization of strike activities and that all members are required to resume the performance of their duties.”
CUPE has not yet issued a response to the latest chapter in the ongoing labour battle, but on Saturday accused the government of trying to crush the rights of Air Canada flight attendants
“This is not over,” said CUPE national president Mark Hancock in a statement.
“We will continue to fight on the picket lines, on the streets, at the bargaining table, in the courts, and in Parliament, until the injustice of unpaid work is done for good. Workers will win – despite the best effort of the Liberal government and their corporate friends.
The union accused Air Canada of relying on unpaid work and trying to prevent its members from achieving a path out of poverty.
Thunder Bay International Airports Authority on Monday issued a notice to travelers that Air Canada has informed them flights will not resume on Monday and to only come to the airport if they have a confirmed intinerary.
