Air Canada Strike Continues as Talks Resume

New Delhi, August 19, 2025: A strike by Air Canada cabin crew has entered its fourth day, causing widespread disruption to air travel across the country. The strike, which began on Saturday after negotiations broke down between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), has led to hundreds of flights being cancelled and thousands of passengers being stranded. Negotiations have now been resumed between the two parties, with a federal mediator’s assistance being provided in Toronto.

The strike, which involves over 10,000 flight attendants, was initiated after a long-standing contract dispute could not be resolved. A major point of contention has been the issue of “ground time,” with the union arguing that flight attendants should be compensated for all duties performed, including the time spent on the ground during boarding and delays. This is being contested by the airline, which has stated that its latest offer, which included a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, would make its flight attendants the best compensated in the country. This offer, however, has been rejected by the union, which has called it “below inflation and below market value.”

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The strike has been declared unlawful by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), which ordered the striking workers to return to their jobs. However, this order has been defied by the union, with its national president stating that the strike would continue until a fair collective agreement is reached. This has created a standoff between the company, the union, and the government, which has been urged to intervene.

The economic fallout of the strike has been significant, with the airline suspending its financial outlook for the year. It has been estimated that the airline could be losing millions of dollars a day in lost revenue. The disruption has also had a major impact on passengers, with Air Canada’s operations being suspended, and customers being advised not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking with another carrier. Passengers whose flights have been cancelled are being offered options that include a full refund or rebooking on another airline, but with the peak summer travel season in full swing, many alternative flights are already fully booked.

The resumption of talks is being seen as a hopeful sign, and it is hoped that a resolution will be found in the coming days. The pressure is on both sides to reach an agreement, as the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of people are being impacted. A swift resolution is being sought not only by the affected passengers but also by the Canadian government and businesses that are concerned about the wider economic consequences of the prolonged labour dispute.