Air Canada stays grounded as union defies back-to-work order amid cabin crew strike

Air Canada's fleet of hundreds of planes remained grounded on the morning of Aug. 18 after striking flight attendants refused a government-backed order to get back to work and called on the airline to return to the bargaining table.

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MONTREAL - Air Canada's fleet of hundreds of planes remained grounded on the morning of Aug. 18 after striking flight attendants refused a government-backed order to get back to work and called on the airline to return to the bargaining table.

The carrier, which normally carries 130,000 people daily and is part of the global Star Alliance of airlines, had planned to start ramping up operations late on Aug. 17, after a labour relations board ordered the union to return to work and start binding arbitration.

The union said no, setting up an almost unprecedented stand-off with the Canadian government, which had requested the back-to-work order.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 Air Canada cabin crew, had sought a negotiated solution, saying binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline.

The attendants are striking for better wages and to be paid for work on the ground, such as boarding passengers. They are now only paid when planes are moving, sparking vocal support from some Canadians on social media.

CUPE invited Air Canada back to the table to "negotiate a fair deal," calling the order to end its strike unconstitutional.