Passengers stranded as Air Canada crews defy back-to-work mandate

International

A STANDOFF between Air Canada’s flight attendants and Ottawa escalated Sunday, with more than 10,000 workers refusing to return to work despite a government order aimed at forcing flights back into the air.

The strike began early Saturday after a near-unanimous union vote and has already grounded hundreds of flights, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives. On Sunday, the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) confirmed members would remain off the job, rejecting a federal directive to resume duties.

“At this time, you are still on Strike and Locked out! Please remember while we are locked out there is no obligation to be in contact with the employer, no responsibility to check Globe or your work email or to contact them for reassignment or reserve duties,” the union told members in a weekend update, as quoted in a CNN report.

The federal government invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code on Saturday, with Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu directing the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to ensure that Air Canada and its flight attendants resume operations in order to maintain industrial peace and protect the interests of Canadians and the economy.

The order required flight attendants to return by 2 p.m. ET Sunday. CUPE, however, responded by urging Air Canada to return to the bargaining table, arguing that the airline was leaning on the federal government when negotiations grew difficult. The union also noted that Air Canada had earlier asked Ottawa to intervene through arbitration to break the deadlock.

Air Canada said Sunday it canceled 240 flights because CUPE had illegally instructed flight attendants to remain on strike. The airline added that affected customers would be contacted directly, advised travelers not to come to airports without confirmed alternative bookings, and stated it expects operations to restart Monday evening.

CUPE members voted 99.7% in favor of strike action last week, demanding wage increases and compensation for time spent on the ground during delays. The walkout officially began around 1 a.m. ET Saturday.

Union president Wesley Lesosky accused the federal government of siding with the airline. “The Canadian government was violating our Charter rights to take job action and give Air Canada exactly what they want - hours and hours of unpaid labour from underpaid flight attendants, while the company pulls in sky-high profits and extraordinary executive compensation,” Lesosky said in the same report.

Air Canada countered that it had already offered a significant package, which included a 38% boost in total compensation over four years and an hourly raise of 12% to 16% in the first year. Hajdu rejected the idea that the government was acting against workers’ interests, arguing that Air Canada and the union were clearly at an impasse and needed assistance in arbitrating the final issues.

The CNN report stated that neither Air Canada nor the Canadian Labour Ministry responded to requests for further comment.(MyTVCebu)