Canada orders striking Air Canada flight attendants back to work

ISTANBUL

More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants who went on strike early Saturday will be ordered to return to work by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), said Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu.

Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Hajdu said she instructed the CIRB to order Air Canada and its employees to “resume and continue their operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace and protect the interests of Canada, Canadians and the economy.”

The announcement followed Air Canada's suspension of all operations in response to the strike.

The government acted under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which permits ministerial intervention in labor disputes, after Air Canada requested the move, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

Air Canada told CNN that it is “premature to comment” as the CIRB process is ongoing and said it is too early to discuss restarting operations, advising customers to avoid going to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and their flight is listed as operating.

Air Canada flight attendants launched a systemwide strike, demanding wage increases and compensation for ground duties, according to their union, CUPE.