Grumbling had been brewing for some time at Air Canadawhose employees displayed their demands on badges or stickers affixed to their luggage, including on departure from French airports such as Nice. At the beginning of last week, mobilisation was stepped up a notch following the massive vote (99.7%) in favour of strike action by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. This vote allowed for a walkout from 16 August in the morning, even though he left the door open to final negotiations. In the end, the balance of power resulted in the company being blocked: since Saturday, all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights have been cancelled.
Air Canada management explains: "On August 13, 2025, CUPE provided Air Canada with 72 hours strike notice, as required by law. The airline has since progressively reduced its schedule by approximately 700 daily flights to manage the labour disruption created by CUPE's strike notice, while working to conclude a new negotiated collective agreement and avoid a continuation of the labour dispute. Air Canada has therefore "suspended all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations due to the strike by its 10,000 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The strike came into effect at 12:58 a.m. ET on 16 August 2025. ".
The strike - which is not affecting Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and PAL Airlines - is having the following impact, according to the Canadian group 130,000 passengers a day. Air Canada "strongly advises" its customers not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket with a carrier other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge.
" Despite Air Canada's campaign of half-truths against its cabin crew, the Canadian public is clearly on the side of fairness and flight attendants. "says Wesley Lesosky, President of CUPE's Air Canada Component. He points to a survey published on the eve of the strike, according to which 88% of Canadians support the company's flight attendants. " Air Canada wants to force flight attendants to continue working for free, which would continue to widen the wage gap when our workforce is predominantly female. And the employer is counting on the intervention of the federal government to achieve its ends. The public's position is clear. Minister Hajdu must support fairness and workers' rights, and reject Air Canada's request to trample on our Charter-guaranteed right to negotiate an end to unpaid work. "continues Wesley Lesosky.
