MADRID, 17 (EUROPA PRESS)
Air Canada has been forced to suspend the resumption of its flights after learning that flight attendants have decided to continue the strike they had launched to improve their pay despite the arbitration process initiated by the Canadian government.
Air Canada announced today the suspension of its plan to resume limited Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights, after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) ordered its flight attendants to defy the return to work order following the declaration of the arbitration process.
The strike, which has resulted in the suspension of more than 700 flights, has forced the government to intervene to arrange mediation. The striking personnel must return to work at 8:00 p.m. (local time in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands).
The collective bargaining agreement, which expired in March, has been extended until the parties finalize its renewal, pending the outcome of an arbitration that will begin "in the coming days" with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
Following the start of the strike this Saturday, Air Canada announced a lockout, resulting in the complete cancellation of the airline's operations due to the inability to operate flights while the strike continues. "Approximately 130,000 customers will be affected each day of the strike. Air Canada currently remains committed to negotiating the renewal of its collective bargaining agreement with CUPE," the company reported.
For its part, the CUPE union has asserted that the Liberal government's decision will not guarantee "labor peace at Air Canada" but will worsen the conflict, and has accused the government of "rewarding" the company by "giving them exactly what they wanted."
