Air Canada and Flight Attendants Resume Negotiations Amid Ongoing Strike

The ongoing strike by flight attendants at Air Canada continues as negotiations resumed on the evening of August 18, 2025. The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) confirmed that discussions have begun, facilitated by mediator William Kaplan in Toronto. The union stated that their strike remains active, emphasizing that the meetings are in the early stages of negotiation aimed at reaching a fair agreement.

Earlier in the day, Air Canada’s Chief Operating Officer indicated that flight attendants would need to return to work before the airline could advance negotiations. This stance has been met with resistance from the union, which firmly stated it would not cease the strike until a satisfactory deal is achieved at the bargaining table. Union officials previously defied an order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board to return to work on Sunday, following the federal government’s invocation of Section 107 of the Labour Code to mandate binding arbitration between the two parties.

In light of the ongoing strike, Air Canada announced the cancellation of all flights for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge until 16:00 ET on Tuesday. The disruptions have significantly affected travel plans for many passengers, as the strike has grounded numerous planes for several days.

As the situation evolves, both Air Canada and CUPE remain under pressure to resolve the conflict, with the hope that mediated discussions will yield a resolution that benefits both the airline and its flight attendants. The outcome of these negotiations will be closely monitored by industry observers and stakeholders, as it holds implications for labor relations in the aviation sector.

This report is based on information from The Canadian Press and reflects the latest developments in this unfolding labor dispute.