Air Canada strike to continue, union confirms

Despite the fact that CIRB has ruled that the Air Canada flight attendants’ strike is now illegal, after an order from the Carney government to return to work, the union has revealed that employees will continue to be on strike.

The strike is therefore continuing, which will have an impact on many passengers for several days to come.

Union leader Mark Hancock (CUPE) said he was sorry and touched by the misfortunes and problems experienced by many passengers, including many families, but that it was time for Air Canada to recognize the rights of its employees.

“We will not be returning to the skies,” says Mark Hancock at the press conference, obviously under a lot of pressure at the moment.

“If it means folks like me going to jail, so be it,” adds Hancock.

What’s more, since noon on August 18, the union and striking employees have been exposed to heavy fines.

Each employee involved in the strike, now declared illegal, could be fined $1,000 a day.

The union, for its part, could have to pay $100,000 for each additional day of illegal strike action.

Needless to say, it’s an untenable situation for all sides involved… including the travelling public. How will one of the most spectacular union disputes of recent decades be resolved? More details to follow.