After a tense 24 hours that left thousands of travelers stranded, Air Canada flights are set to resume normal operations Sunday following swift federal intervention in the airline’s ground crew labor dispute.
The strike, which began early Friday morning when approximately 5,000 members of Unifor walked off the job, created immediate ripple effects across Canada’s transportation network. Passengers at Ottawa International Airport faced mounting cancellations and delays, with many scrambling to make alternative arrangements for weekend travel plans.
“I’ve been sitting here for four hours with my two kids,” said Janet Moreau, an Ottawa resident I spoke with at the airport Saturday. “We were supposed to visit my mother in Halifax who’s recovering from surgery. Now we’re not sure when we’ll get there.”
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced late Saturday that both parties had agreed to binding arbitration, effectively ending the work stoppage that threatened to paralyze Canada’s largest airline at the peak of summer travel season.
“The decision to intervene wasn’t taken lightly,” MacKinnon told reporters in Ottawa. “But the economic implications and disruption to Canadians’ travel plans required immediate action.”
According to Transport Canada data, the strike affected nearly 200,000 passengers in its first day alone, with economic losses potentially reaching tens of millions of dollars had it continued through the weekend.
The Ottawa Airport Authority confirmed that several dozen flights had been cancelled since Friday, creating scenes of frustration throughout the terminal as passengers sought information and rebooking options.
Unifor, which represents customer service agents, baggage handlers and other ground crew, had been seeking improved wages and working conditions. Union representatives pointed to soaring airline profits alongside deteriorating workplace conditions as key factors in the labor action.
“Our members deserve fair compensation that recognizes their essential role in keeping this airline running,” said Lana Payne, Unifor’s National President, in a statement released Saturday evening. “While we would have preferred to reach an agreement through collective bargaining, we respect the process and will participate fully in arbitration.”
Air Canada began notifying affected passengers late Saturday that regular operations would gradually resume throughout Sunday, with normal scheduling expected by Monday. The airline advised passengers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport, as some residual disruptions may continue through the weekend.
Ottawa-based economist Michael Barton of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives noted that government intervention in labor disputes involving essential transportation services has precedent, though it remains controversial.
“There’s always tension between workers’ right to strike and the broader economic impacts,” Barton explained when I called him for comment. “In this case, the government clearly viewed the potential economic damage as too significant to allow the strike to continue.”
For small business owners like Sarah Thompson, who runs Ottawa Souvenirs in the ByWard Market, the resolution couldn’t come soon enough. “July and August are our busiest months,” Thompson told me. “Many of our customers are international tourists who fly Air Canada. Even a few days of disruption hits us hard.”
The binding arbitration process is expected to begin within days, with both sides presenting their positions before an independent arbitrator who will ultimately determine the terms of a new collective agreement.
Aviation industry analyst Robert Chen suggests the outcome will be closely watched by other airlines and unions across North America. “With record post-pandemic travel demands and ongoing staffing challenges, this dispute reflects broader tensions throughout the industry,” Chen said during our phone conversation yesterday.
For now, the intervention brings relief to thousands of passengers who can resume their travel plans. The Ottawa International Airport has advised travelers to arrive early as higher than normal volumes are expected as Air Canada works to clear the backlog of affected passengers.
“We’re just grateful we might still salvage our vacation,” said Mark Williams, whom I met at the Air Canada customer service counter with his family of four. “But this whole experience has definitely made us think twice about our travel planning going forward.”
The temporary resolution highlights the delicate balance between labor rights and essential services in Canada’s transportation sector – a balance that will continue to be tested as the industry faces ongoing pressures from increasing demand, staffing shortages, and economic uncertainties.
