what is air canada strike about

The 2025 Air Canada strike was a labor dispute involving 10,517 flight attendants and their union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The strike occurred from August 16 to 19, 2025, after the previous collective bargaining agreement expired in March 2025. The main issues were disputes over wages, pay for work done on the ground (such as boarding assistance), and conditions perceived as below inflation and market value. The union rejected Air Canada's offer of a 38% wage increase over four years, saying it was insufficient given inflation and that it did not cover unpaid work. The strike led to the suspension of all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights. The government intervened by imposing binding arbitration and issuing a return-to- work order that the union initially defied. After several days of disrupted flights and negotiations, a tentative agreement was reached on August 19, 2025, ending the strike. This agreement brought significant changes, including recognizing pay for ground work, which was a major point of contention. The strike not only disrupted thousands of passengers but also signaled a shift in the airline industry's labor relations regarding compensation for ground duties and working conditions for flight attendants. The union president highlighted the strike as a defense of workers' rights and against unpaid labor practices.