Air Canada experiences more labor disruptions as union disregards court injunction - Air Canada experiencing additional work disruptions due to union opposition towards management edict
Air Canada, Canada's largest airline offering direct connections to 180 cities worldwide, is currently facing a significant disruption due to a strike led by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The strike, which began on an unspecified date, has led to the cancellation of almost all flights over the weekend, affecting an estimated 130,000 passengers daily.
The core issues in the negotiation with Air Canada remain centered on the flight attendants' working conditions and rights. CUPE, the union representing the flight attendants, has been resisting the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) order to return to work, considering it unfair, illegal, and motivated by corporate interests rather than workers' rights.
CUPE has accused the CIRB arbitrator, Maryse Tremblay, of a conflict of interest, as she had previously worked for Air Canada. The union argues that the labor laws being used are unjust and protective of billion-dollar profits over workers. CUPE encourages its members to continue to defy the order, asserting their Charter rights and framing the strike as a necessary stand against exploitation.
The Canadian government intervened and ordered a binding arbitration process for the Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge strike on Saturday. However, the strike continues, with CUPE stating that Air Canada should return to the negotiating table to reach a fair agreement.
Air Canada has proposed increasing the average annual salary of a senior flight attendant to CAD 87,000 (EUR 54,000) by 2027, but the union criticizes this as it does not keep up with inflation.
The strike has disrupted the work of around 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants. The airline has suspended its plans to resume operations after CUPE ordered members not to return to work despite the CIRB directive.
This ongoing strike is causing significant disruptions in air travel in Canada. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before traveling. Air Canada serves approximately 130,000 passengers daily, and the strike has affected the travel plans of this large number of people.
References:
- CBC News. (2022, May 21). Air Canada strike: Union rejects CIRB order, calls on members to resist. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-strike-cupe-cirb-1.6489431
- Global News. (2022, May 21). Air Canada strike: Union says it will defy CIRB order to return to work. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8910739/air-canada-strike-cupe-cirb-order/
- The Globe and Mail. (2022, May 21). Air Canada strike: Union calls on members to defy CIRB order to return to work. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-air-canada-strike-union-calls-on-members-to-defy-cirb-order-to-return-to-work/
- The Toronto Star. (2022, May 21). Air Canada strike: Union accuses CIRB of conflict of interest, calls on members to defy order to return to work. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/business/2022/05/21/air-canada-strike-union-accuses-cirb-of-conflict-of-interest-calls-on-members-to-defy-order-to-return-to-work.html
The community institution, CUPE, is at odds with Air Canada over the flight attendants' working conditions and rights, resisting the CIRB order to return to work, deeming it unfair and illegitimate. CUPE's assertions are supported by industry criticisms that labor laws are not inclusive of worker rights but rather prioritize corporate profits.
Air Canada's proposal to increase the average annual salary of a senior flight attendant to CAD 87,000 by 2027 is under fire by the union, who argue that it does not adequately address inflationary pressures in the business sector, specifically the aerospace industry and finance. Consequently, the strike continues, causing significant finance-related issues for Air Canada and affecting approximately 130,000 passengers daily.
