Air Canada flight attendants launched a major strike involving around 10,000 employees, significantly disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers during the peak summer season, with over 600 flights canceled.
The Canadian government intervened by declaring the strike unlawful and ordering the attendants to return to work, prompting a fierce defiance from union leaders who deemed the ruling unconstitutional.
As negotiations between Air Canada and the union stalled, the strike created chaos, stranding approximately 130,000 travelers and leading to a potential full suspension of the airline's services.
Amidst the turmoil, the airline faced mounting pressure as public opinion split between supporting workers' rights and the need for a swift resolution to restore normal operations.
Following governmental intervention for binding arbitration, a tentative deal was finally reached, paving the way for a gradual resumption of Air Canada's operations and an end to the strike.
This contentious standoff highlighted the broader issues of labor rights, corporate responsibility, and the critical need for effective negotiation in maintaining essential services.