OTTAWA – The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has declared the ongoing strike by Air Canada flight attendants illegal. Following a hearing held last Sunday, the board ordered union leaders to instruct their members to return to work immediately.
The strike, initiated on Saturday by 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, prompted Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu to request the board to intervene under Section 107 of the Labour Code. However, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the flight attendants, has announced it will defy the board’s order and challenge the decision in federal court.
In response to the union’s refusal to end the strike, Air Canada has stated that more flights will be canceled. The airline and CUPE have been in contract negotiations since their previous 10-year agreement expired in March.
