Air Canada’s fleet remained grounded on Monday after striking flight attendants defied a government-backed order to return to work, escalating an unprecedented standoff with Canadian authorities.
The airline, which typically transports 130,000 passengers daily as part of the global Star Alliance, had anticipated resuming operations on Sunday evening following a labour relations board directive for the union to end its strike and enter binding arbitration.
However, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 Air Canada cabin crew, rejected the order.
They urged the airline to return to the negotiating table, arguing that binding arbitration would alleviate pressure on the carrier.
The attendants are demanding improved wages and remuneration for ground duties, such as passenger boarding, as their current pay structure only compensates them when aircraft are in motion.
This stance has garnered significant public backing on social media from Canadians.
CUPE invited Air Canada back to the table to “negotiate a fair deal,” calling the order to end its strike unconstitutional.
The airline said it would delay plans to restart operations from Sunday until Monday evening and described the union as illegally defying the labour board.
The government’s options to end the strike now include asking courts to enforce the order to return to work and seeking an expedited hearing. The minority government could also try to pass legislation that would need the support of political rivals and approval in both houses of parliament, which are on break until September 15.
“The government will be very reticent to be too heavy-handed because in Canada the Supreme Court has ruled that governments have to be very careful when they take away the right to strike, even for public sector workers that may be deemed essential,” said Dionne Pohler, professor of dispute resolution at Cornell University’s Industrial and Labor Relations School.
Another option is to encourage bargaining, Pohler said.
The government did not respond to requests for comment.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Carney‘s Liberal…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…