A strike initiated by Air Canada’s flight attendants on Saturday has led to the complete suspension of the airline’s operations, creating travel disruptions for a large number of passengers. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 10,000 flight attendants, announced the strike. Air Canada, serving 180 global destinations, has suspended all flights in response. The union was legally permitted to strike after issuing a 72-hour notice, with the strike officially beginning early Saturday morning. In preparation, Air Canada had started to reduce its services. By Friday evening, approximately 623 flights were canceled, impacting over 100,000 passengers. The entire flight schedule for Saturday was also cancelled. The striking workers are demanding higher wages and compensation for duties performed on the ground, including tasks related to the boarding process. The union has rejected calls from both the federal government and Air Canada to settle the dispute through independent arbitration. The company detailed its offer, indicating that a senior flight attendant could earn an average of CAN$87,000 by 2027. The Business Council of Canada warned that an Air Canada strike could damage Canada’s economy, particularly affecting supply chains.
