Over 130,000 Passengers Affected Daily as Thousands of Flights Cancelled as Strike Reaches Fourth Day
Air Canada’s cabin crew, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, have continued their strike into a fourth day, despite the Canada Industrial Relations Board ruling it unlawful. The walkout, which started on Saturday, August 16, 2025, has caused widespread travel disruptions across Canada, with Toronto serving as the main center for negotiations and mediation. Flight attendants argue that they perform nearly 35 hours of unpaid ground duties each month, such as assisting passengers during boarding, and are demanding fair compensation and improved wages. Air Canada has offered a package that it claims would raise total compensation by 38% over four years, but the union says this equates to only a 17.2% increase in wages, which they believe is inadequate when measured against inflation and industry standards. Government officials have intervened, with Minister Patty Hajdu calling for mediation and opening an inquiry into unpaid labor practices, while Prime Minister Mark Car...