Air Canada Strike Standoff: Flight Attendants Defy Return Order Amid Peak Travel

Air Canada has postponed its plans to resume operations due to non-compliance by the flight attendants' union with the industrial relations board's return to work directive. This standoff is impacting thousands of travelers daily around the globe as the strike persists during the busy summer travel season.

The conflict intensified after the federal government's intervention, yet the union protested against the order citing unfair proceedings and declaring intentions to fight what it sees as an unconstitutional mandate. With operations anticipated to resume by Monday evening, the airline acknowledged that full normalization would take several days.

Concurrently, labor negotiations remain stalled after eight months, revolving particularly around the issues of compensation and unpaid duties. With government-directed arbitration rejected by the union, the situation has escalated, putting pressure on Air Canada amid ongoing passenger disruptions and industry calls for binding arbitration.

(With inputs from agencies.)