Air Canada flight attendants to continue strike despite government order
Al Jazeera1 day
Air Canada Flight Attendants Defy Government Back-to-Work Order
Above: A CUPE strike at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on August 16, 2025, in Montreal, Canada. Image copyright: Andrej Ivanov/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
CIRB's order fundamentally violates Charter rights and sets a dangerous precedent by rewarding corporate refusal to negotiate fairly. CUPE, however, will not meekly surrender its members' fundamental rights and protections in fear of government opposition. Instead, the union will continue industrial action until it can secure a fair arrangement for Air Canada's flight attendants.
Narrative B
CUPE's strike is both illegal and in clear violation of the return-to-work order over the weekend. The union must therefore abide by CIRB's command and cease its unlawful industrial action, encourage its members to return to work, and publicly revoke its prior authorization for strike action, if it doesn't want to face considerable legal consequences.