Air Canada Flight Attendants' Strike Ends with Tentative Agreement

Air Canada reached an agreement with its unionized flight attendants, ending a four-day strike that had disrupted travel plans for thousands. The airline, which will resume operations gradually, faced pressure from unions demanding pay for tasks like boarding. The strike continued despite a federal labor board's order to return to work.

Air Canada's unionized flight attendants and the airline came to terms on Tuesday, concluding the first cabin crew strike in four decades, which had significantly affected travel plans for hundreds of thousands of passengers. The four-day labor action prompted the airline to withdraw its third-quarter and full-year earnings forecasts.

The company announced a gradual return to normal operations, warning that full service restoration could take a week or more. Meanwhile, the union confirmed it had wrapped up mediation with Air Canada and its subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge. Customers with canceled flights are being offered options for refunds, travel credits, or rebookings.

The flight attendants began their strike on Saturday due to failed contract negotiations, primarily over compensation for tasks such as boarding passengers. The union, representing 10,400 cabin crew members, had sought improvements beyond those obtained by their U.S. counterparts. Despite a federal order deeming the strike unlawful, the union held firm, forming a standoff involving the airline, workers, and government authorities.

(With inputs from agencies.)