Air Canada, Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Deal Ending Nationwide Strike

A tentative agreement has been reached between Air Canada and the union representing about 10,000 flight attendants, effectively ending the strike that began over the weekend. The strike, which grounded flights and disrupted travel for approximately 130,000 passengers daily during the busy summer season, was declared illegal by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. Despite a back-to-work order from Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, flight attendants continued striking until the deal guaranteed pay for work performed while planes were grounded, addressing a key issue of the dispute. Flights are expected to resume later the same day the agreement was announced, although Air Canada cautioned it may take seven to ten days to fully restore regular service due to aircraft and crew positioning. The Canadian Union of Public Employees challenged the strike's legality in federal court, but talks resumed leading to the resolution. Both the airline and the union confirmed the tentative deal, which aims to bring stability to operations and travel plans across Canada.