The Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled the walkout by 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants illegal and ordered them back to work.
Despite the order, the union pushed on, demanding fair pay for unpaid "groundwork"—like boarding passengers and pre-flight prep.
This defiance frustrated both Air Canada’s CEO and government officials and forced an abrupt halt to flights affecting over 500,000 passengers.
How It Wrapped Up
After several tense days, the parties struck a tentative agreement—giving flight attendants new compensation for ground duties, including boarding.
Air Canada began to gradually restart operations, though full recovery will take 7 to 10 days.
The agreement awaits union member ratification, but it effectively ends the strike.
What It Means For The Future
This episode shows how bold labor action—even when technically illegal—can break stalemates and force meaningful concessions. Both sides were pushed to the edge, and ultimately, compromise won. For travelers, it's a reminder: the next time you’re grounded, ask whose fight it is—and why everyone was so determined to keep playing.
