Air Canada Strike Ends as Tentative Deal Reached

Small Town News | A Division of Small Town Productions

Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing more than 10,000 flight attendants, have reached a tentative agreement to end a strike that has disrupted travel across the country for several days.

The strike, which began late last week, led to more than 2,500 canceled flights and affected an estimated 130,000 passengers per day during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The core issue at the bargaining table was compensation for unpaid work performed by flight attendants while planes are on the ground. That matter has now been addressed in the new agreement, marking a key breakthrough in the negotiations.

Air Canada has announced that flight operations will begin gradually resuming this evening, though a full return to normal schedules may take seven to ten days. The airline has also committed to offering full refunds to travelers whose plans were interrupted, while additional staff are being deployed at Toronto Pearson International Airport and other hubs to help ease the transition.

Union leaders welcomed the deal, calling it a hard-fought step forward for flight attendants. “Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power,” a CUPE spokesperson said following the announcement.

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau acknowledged the challenges ahead in restoring regular service but emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement that ends the disruption. “This has been a difficult period for our employees and our customers. Our focus now is on recovery and returning to reliable service as quickly as possible,” Rousseau said.

The tentative agreement still requires ratification by union members. If approved, it will bring an official close to the strike and provide new labor terms designed to address long-standing concerns among flight attendants.

For now, passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly, as schedules may remain unpredictable while the airline works to clear backlogs and reset operations nationwide.

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