The federal government is ordering Air Canada's flight attendants back to work as contract negotiations continue.
Patty Hajdu, the Minister of Jobs and Families, announced on Saturday that she is ordering binding arbitration to end the strike of over 10,000 employees. This means a third party, in this case the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), will now oversee the contract dispute.
"I am exercising this authority because it is critical to maintaining and securing industrial peace, protecting Canadians and promoting conditions to resolve the dispute. Despite the parties’ resolution of several key differences, the CIRB is best positioned to help them find a solution on the outstanding items," said Hajdu.
In the meantime, Hajdu has asked the CIRB to extend the terms of the existing collective agreement until a new one is approved.
Earlier in the week, Air Canada formally proposed to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) that the parties use binding arbitration to negotiate the renewal of a 10-year collective agreement. However, CUPE declined to use arbitration, saying it wants to stay at the negotiating table and have the two sides come to an agreement themselves.
The decision by the federal government is not sitting well with CUPE.
“The Liberals are violating our Charter rights to take job action and give Air Canada exactly what they want -- hours and hours of unpaid labour from underpaid flight attendants, while the company pulls in sky-high profits and extraordinary executive compensation,” said Wesley Lesosky, CUPE Air Canada Component president.
He went on to say that using binding arbitration sets a terrible precedent in future contract disputes.
Unifor is also standing behind CUPE.
In a statement, the union said it condemns the imposition of binding arbitration.
"The government is condoning Air Canada's refusal to bargain fairly while blocking workers' legitimate fight against unpaid work," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "Workers have constitutional rights in this country, and we expect our governments to uphold them."
Unifor also issued a solidarity letter earlier this week.