Statement from Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President: 

PSAC is in solidarity with CUPE Air Canada flight attendants refusing the government’s back to work order as they fight not only to be paid for the work they do, and the legal right to bargain fairly.  

The government’s decision to force Air Canada flight attendants back to work is a blatant violation of workers’ constitutional rights in Canada and tramples over the collective bargaining process. Women represent more than 70% of flight attendants fighting for better working conditions, and this overreach perpetuates the gender wage gap in Canada. 

This is another blow to the right of all workers to bargain freely and exercise their right to strike. If major employers in Canada can count on the government stepping in to prevent strikes, no employer will bargain fairly and will simply wait for the government to do their bidding.  

PSAC joins unions across the country calling on Prime Minister Carney and Minister Hajdu to respect all workers’ right to bargain and strike. We demand the government immediately rescinds the order invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code forcing Air Canada workers back on the job.