Air Canada has cancelled its scheduled resumption of operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge today. This after flight attendants refused a back-to-work order from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. The airline says it hopes to have operations resume by tomorrow (18AUG) evening.
The airline said approximately 240 flights scheduled to operate beginning this afternoon are off the board. Typically, the carrier operates 700 flights a day.
CUPE, the union bargaining on behalf of flight attendants, defied the back-to-work order from the CIRB this morning in dramatic fashion. CUPE National President Mark Hancock ripped the CIRB’s order, backed by cheers from flight attendants protesting and picketing at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.
“This strike will end when we get a collective agreement that works for our members,” he said.
Yesterday, Canada’s Jobs Minster Minister Patty Hajdu announced she is “ordering parties to resume negotiations.”
The Minister invoked section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, forcing parties to work with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. Section 107 meant flight attendants are forced to report to work.
Air Canada says this refusal to return to work is illegal.
If CUPE refuses to order flight attendants back to work, the union could be found in contempt or violation of the Canada Labour Code. Penalties could include fining CUPE $100,000 or more, injunctions or enforcement actions. If the CIRB deems CUPE to be seen as acting unlawfully or irresponsibly, the labour relations board could consider decertifying CUPE as the flight attendants' negotiator, which is extremely rare.
Open Jaw continues to follow this story and will update breaking news.
