A strike by Air Canada’s flight attendants on Saturday has resulted in the suspension of all flights, leading to travel chaos for a considerable number of passengers. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing the flight attendants, declared the commencement of the strike, affecting a workforce of 10,000. Air Canada, which serves 180 cities globally, confirmed the suspension of all its operations in response to the strike action. The union was legally permitted to strike after a 72-hour notice, with the walkout beginning early Saturday morning. Air Canada had initiated a phased reduction of services in anticipation of the labor action. Nearly 623 flights had been canceled by Friday evening, impacting over 100,000 passengers. The airline’s entire Saturday schedule of 700 flights was cancelled. The striking flight attendants are demanding better wages and compensation for ground duties that are currently unpaid. The union has resisted efforts by both the federal government and Air Canada to resolve the dispute through arbitration. Air Canada outlined its latest offer, projecting that a senior flight attendant could earn an average of CAN$87,000 by 2027. The Business Council of Canada warned that the strike could harm Canada’s economy, especially at a time when economic supply chains are under strain.
