TOP STORY
Flight attendants poised to strike this week have previously asked the federal government to address one of their biggest grievances — unpaid work.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) gave Air Canada a 72-hour strike notice early Wednesday. In response, the carrier issued a lockout notice starting at 1:30 a.m. ET on Saturday and says it will begin cancelling flights on Thursday.
Could federal legislation have eased a key sticking point in the Air Canada dispute? | CBC News
Decisions
Grievance, evidence – Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association v L3harris Mas Inc., 2025 CanLII 78007 (ON LA) Grievor terminated for fraudulent recording of hours – Browne v. Dunn objections – witness to be put on notice that their evidence will be contradicted and given opportunity to give evidence being aware of alleged contradiction – arbitrator’s exercise of discretion to allow evidence is a balancing of prejudice – employer permitted to recall witnesses to address evidence that engages Browne v. Dunn either before union calls further evidence, or after union closes its case
Human rights, joint hearing – Francis v. Air Canada and Antwi v. Air Canada, 2025 CHRT 71 Two complaints of discrimination – motion by Canadian Human Rights Commission that complaints be joined into single inquiry – overlap in grounds between complaints and representation by same legal counsel not basis to hear complaints together – different fact scenarios – timeliness concern – motion denied
Compensation, cancelled flight – Thurlow v. WestJet Airlines Ltd., 2025 BCCRT 1117 Airline rerouted applicants after cancellation of flight – flight cancelled due to meteorological conditions that made safe operation of aircraft impossible – deemed outside carrier’s control under Air Passenger Protection Regulations (“APPR”) – claim for $1,000 per passenger under APPR dismissed – baggage fees awarded – applicants also claimed lack of adequate notice about cancellation – Tribunal has no jurisdiction to administer administrative penalties under Canada Transportation Act for failure to comply with APPR
Compensation, cancelled flight – D.P. v. WestJet Airlines Ltd., 2025 BCCRT 1106 Flight cancelled following strike notice and announced lockout – labour disruption not within airline’s control – compensation under APPR for flight delay dismissed – Tribunal not convinced airline took all reasonable measures to avoid damages caused by delay – awarded damages under Montreal Convention for car rental and meals – applicants also claimed airline failed to provide timely communication – Tribunal has no jurisdiction to administer administrative penalties under Canada Transportation Act for failure to comply with Air Passenger Protection Regulations
CIRB Decisions
Bargaining unit order – Porter Airlines Inc. – Order No. 12108-U Application for certification by ALPA – employer disputed inclusion of administrative staff in bargaining unit – no managerial functions and not employed in confidential capacity in matters relating to industrial relations – Board not convinced administrative employees lack shared community of interest with pilots – current incumbents’ age-related flying restrictions not proper basis to exclude positions from bargaining unit – ALPA certified to be bargaining agent for unit comprising “all pilots employed by subsidiaries of Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. (including Porter Airlines Inc. and Porter Airlines Canada Limited), excluding chief pilots, assistant chief pilots, managers and those above these ranks”
Bargaining unit order – Porter Airlines Inc. – Order No. 12110-U CUPE certified to be bargaining agent for unit comprising “all cabin crew employed by Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries including Porter Airlines Inc. and Porter Airlines (Canada) Limited, excluding base pursers, administrative support staff, supervisors, and those above the rank of supervisor”
CTA News and Decisions
Application – Delux Public Charter, LLC c.o.b. JSX Air – Determination No. A-2025-143 Application for licence to operate a non scheduled international service between Canada and the United States – licence issued, subject to conditions
Suspension – Taca International Airlines, S.A. c.o.b. Taca Airlines, Avianca – Order No. 2025-A-11 Licence 977339
Suspension – TACA International Airlines, S.A. c.o.b. TACA Airlines, Avianca – Order No. 2025-A-12 Licence 110026
Suspension – Valley Air Service, Inc. – Order No. 2025-A-13 Licence 020074
TC/TSB News
Industry Association News
- ACI – Unlocking air connectivity – Removing barriers for air travel and consumers
- CBAA – Your Weekly Bulletin – August 14, 2025
- COPA – Marcia Kim, President’s Corner: Reflections on my first three months
- ICAO – Latest ICAO aviation safety data reveals need for renewed focus, despite continuous long-term improvements
Union News
- AFA – AFA backs Air Canada flight attendants
- ALPA – From atop Parliament Hill
- ALPA – Porter Airlines pilots choose ALPA
- AMFA – AMFA supports CUPE-AC flight attendants
- CUPE – 88% of Canadians support Air Canada flight attendants, new poll confirms
- CUPE – Air Canada flight attendants forced to issue strike notice to end unpaid work
- CUPE – Air Canada flight attendants stage national day of action to end unpaid work and win a fair contract
- CUPE – Air Canada is reinforcing the gender wage gap – and they want the government to help them do
- CUPE – Air Canada no longer wants to negotiate
- CUPE – CUPE welcomes Porter cabin crew
- CUPE Air Canada – Bargaining Committee Update – 30 – Lock Out Notice/Strike Notice – Update
- IAMAW – Air Transat passenger service team secures first tentative agreement
- IAMAW – IAM Union stands in solidarity with CUPE and Air Canada flight attendants in fight for fair contract
- PSAC – PSAC backs flight attendants’ fight against unpaid work
- Unifor – Unifor in solidarity with Air Canada Component of CUPE
- Unifor 2002 – Unifor Local 2002 members: CUPE strike information
Airport News
- Atlantic Canada Airports applaud provincial funding commitment to strengthen regional air connectivity
- London Airport expects minimal impact from potential Air Canada strike
- New solar farm construction underway at Saskatoon Airport
Rotary Operator News
- Drones map out routes overnight for waterbombers to plan their attacks on wildfires
- The hidden dangers of helicopter landings: What every pilot needs to know
- Public warned of dangers of flying drones over wildfires
- Residents warned against drone use in vicinity of Bayers Lake fire
General Aviation News
- Air Canada declares an impasse in CUPE negotiations as midnight threshold for a strike or lockout notice nears
- Air Canada provides clarity on its offer to CUPE
- Air Canada receives 72-hour strike notice from CUPE and issues lockout notice in response
- Air Canada union rejects binding arbitration as almost 300 flights axed
- Airline required to compensate families of Flight PS752 victims, Ontario court rules
- Business aviation enters new phase: Elevated activity and stabilizing prices define mid-2025 market
- Federal intervention in potential Air Canada strike would be ‘troubling’: labour prof
- Maritime governments, Ottawa give PAL Airlines $9M to offer daily flights between provinces
- Porter pilots now represented by ALPA union
- WestJet looking to return to normal operation after tech issue caused flight delays
- WestJet says some passengers’ personal information stolen in cyberattack
