Feds want Air Canada flight attendants back to work

The federal government has stepped in and ordered Air Canada and the union representing their flight attendants to resume operations.

On Saturday at 1 a.m. the strike officially began, which caused Air Canada to lock out its agents about 30 minutes later.

While thousands of Air Canada flight attendants were outside Terminal One at Toronto’s Pearson Airport Saturday, inside many passengers were still hoping to take off even though the airline has suspended all operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.

“We’ve got to get home for medical appointments, for other things. And it’s a little frustrating at the moment,” said one man.

“Frustration is not even the word. We are trying to get to Miami. We have a cruise ship booked, which is leaving at 3 p.m. tomorrow. And the next flight out, they want to charge $9,230 for this evening,” said one woman.

At a news conference in Ottawa, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said the strike was already causing “significant harm” and having negative impacts on Canadians and the country’s economy.

At the direction of Hajdu, the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered Air Canada and CUPE to resolve the dispute through binding arbitration.

The choice was made by Hajdu after meeting with both sides Friday night. She found that talks were breaking down and both parties seemed far from a resolution.

With many Canadians scrambling to find other means of transportation and ongoing pressure from business groups, officials stepped in to end the labour dispute, easing concerns over its impact on the economy.

The move comes after roughly eight months of discussions between CUPE and Air Canada – who never reached a deal in that time.

According to Hajdu, an offer from the employer was made Friday night, but the union rejected it.

More than 600 flights were cancelled by Air Canada over the past two days due to the potential of a work stoppage. Hajdu added that it could be days before service returns to normal.

The labour board has been ordered by the minister to extend the term of the existing collective agreement until a new one is produced by the arbitrator.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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