Air Canada flight attendants said on Sunday they will remain on strike and challenge a return-to-work order they called unconstitutional, defying a government decision to force them back to their duties by 2 p.m. ET (1800 GMT).

Air Canada had said it planned to resume flights on Sunday evening, a day after the Canadian government issued a directive to end a cabin crew strike that caused the suspension of around 700 daily flights, stranding more than 100,000 passengers.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees said in a statement that members would remain on strike and invited Air Canada back to the table to “negotiate a fair deal.”

  • iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    The most contentious issue has been the union’s demand for compensation for time spent on the ground between flights and when helping passengers board. Attendants are largely paid only when their plane is moving.

    • Rhaedas@fedia.io
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      1 day ago

      Damn right. Work on the clock, or pay them a decent salary that covers all bases. The company using a non-moving plane as some excuse is ludicrous. If you’re losing money for that regularly, then raise the ticket prices to cover costs incurred. They always go after the labor first to save money, which is asinine because it’s the labor that keeps things going.

      • gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world
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        23 hours ago

        the whole industry

        It’s not a criminal conspiracy, it’s a longstanding commonly accepted industry practice, completely different things! /s

        • ramble81@lemmy.zip
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          23 hours ago

          I said this in another thread but could you imagine if call center workers were only paid when they’re actually on the phone? That would be ludicrous.

          • Miles O'Brien@startrek.website
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            23 hours ago

            If my employer tried to tell me I’m only getting paid when I’m actively using the equipment instead of the whole time I setting up and transferring materials, I’d have to get in line to set the place on fire