Air Canada flight attendants strike ends with tentative agreement

In Canada, Air Canada and the union representing its flight attendants, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, reached a tentative agreement to end a strike that began on August 16, 2025. The strike forced a temporary halt of operations, impacting flights and stranding over 100,000 passengers. Union members protested against wage stagnation and unpaid work, citing a dire need for improved compensation and working conditions. The negotiations facilitated by a mediator proved fruitful after days of disruptions and escalated tensions. The agreement requires ratification by union members, who had overwhelmingly supported the strike action earlier. However, the possibility of resuming strike action remains should the tentative deal be rejected. Air Canada announced it would gradually restart services on August 19, 2025, but restoration of full operations could take up to ten days due to logistical challenges such as repositioning aircraft and crew. The preliminary resumption of flights began in the evening, but it was advised to travelers to check flight status as many flights were still subject to cancellations and delays. The union leaders hailed the tentative agreement as a significant victory for their members. They highlighted the achievement of addressing unpaid work issues, which included the time spent on safety checks, medical emergencies, and other critical responsibilities that previously went uncompensated. This pivotal moment could influence the structure of labor relations in Canada’s aviation sector, setting a precedent for similar negotiations across the industry.