Canadian Airline Set to Take to the Skies Again Following Government Intervention
A major Canadian airline is set to get back in the air after a significant disruption in their flight operations. The disruption, which was caused by a cabin staff strike, led to the grounding of about 700 daily flights. The strike action left more than 100,000 travelers stranded and without alternatives.
First Major Strike Since 1985
Thousands of flight attendants from the airline decided to stage a walkout over the past weekend. This marked the first major strike action since 1985. The point of contention has been the drawn-out discussions over a new service contract for the flight attendants. The result was a standstill in operations as the airline and its staff were unable to reach an agreement.
Flights to Gradually Resume
The airline has announced that it will restart operations in the evening of the day following the strike. However, some flights will continue to be cancelled over the following week to ten days. This is to allow for stabilization of the schedule and a return to normal operations. The airline had preemptively started cancelling flights on the day preceding the strike, in anticipation of the disruption.
Government Steps in to Resolve the Strike
The Industrial Relations Board of Canada intervened in the matter, ordering the airline to resume operations. It also ordered all flight attendants of the airline and its affiliate to return to their duties. This directive was issued as part of a larger government intervention to end the strike.
Additionally, the Jobs Minister has directed for a binding arbitration process to be set in motion to resolve the contract deadlock. This is a step that the airline's management had previously sought from the government, but was met with strong resistance from the unionized flight attendants.
Disagreements Over Contract Terms
The primary point of disagreement in the contract negotiations was the union's demand for compensation for time spent on ground between flights and during passenger boarding. The current pay structure primarily compensates the attendants only when the airplane is in motion.
The Union of Public Employees has been advocating for a negotiated solution, arguing that binding arbitration would alleviate pressure on the airline. They have also been pushing for an extension of the terms of the collective agreement between the airline and the union, which expired at the end of the first quarter of the year, until a new agreement is reached.
The union has not yet commented on the latest developments.
As this situation unfolds, more updates will be provided.