Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK Air Canada Strike Declared Illegal: The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) today (August 18, 2025) declared the strike by Air Canada flight attendants an 'illegal action'. The board instructed the leaders of the Canadian flight attendants' union (CUPE) to mandate the immediate return to work.
According to the airline's own announcement, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) declared the strike activity of the company’s 10,000 flight attendants illegal and directed the leadership of the CUPE labor union to order its members to resume work.
This declaration came after a discussion held yesterday. In its ruling, the board stated that 'the union and its officials are required to immediately stop all illegal strike activities of its members and instruct them to resume their duties, as well as refrain from engaging in illegal strike activities'.
It was further stated that 'the union and its officials should issue a written public notice, via the website or other means, to all members by 12:00 PM EDT on August 18, 2025, that their approval of the strike has been revoked, and all members are required to return to their duties'.
As recalled, the resumption of activities by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, which have been grounded since Friday, August 16, was halted yesterday (August 17, 2025) due to the union's refusal to return workers to duty. Air Canada estimates that flights of 500,000 customers have been canceled as a result of the strike.
Air Canada announced that the company 'regrets this and is fully committed to resuming service as soon as possible. Customers can find more information on their flights and future travel options on the company's website'.