Board rules Air Canada flight attendants cannot strike



Air Canada had one message Wednesday morning to passengers: Labour strife won't delay any takeoffs or landing.



OTTAWA — Air Canada's flight attendants apparently won't be walking off the job after all.

The Canadian Industrial Relations Board says that the union cannot strike as of 12:01 a.m. ET Thursday — as it planned — after the federal labour minister referred the dispute to the board for review.

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt asked the board to determine whether a disruption of service would pose a health and safety risk to the public.

While the board is reviewing the matter, no strike or lockout can take place, according to the Canada Labour Code.

"In this regard, the Code is clear that this referral suspends the right to strike or lockout until the Board renders a decision on this matter," the board said in a statement posted on its website.

The union representing flight attendants was reviewing the notice sent to the board, but had earlier in the day said that its members planned to walk off the job.

That announcement came after Air Canada told passengers that it will remain business as usual Thursday and all flights would operate as scheduled.

The federal government's intervention came despite a renewed call from the union representing Air Canada's flight attendants for the government to stay out of the contract dispute.

"Minister Raitt's attempt to use the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to circumvent the rights of our members is outrageous," said Paul Moist, national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

"The first excuse from the federal government for its unnecessary intervention was a supposed fear of harm to the Canadian economy. Now, out of the blue, Minister Raitt suspects a strike will endanger the health and safety of Canadians. These excuses strain the credibility of the Harper Conservatives, and are a transparent attack on flight attendants and every other worker in Canada."

Frustrated flight attendants vented their feelings about the labour dispute and federal government involvement in online videos posted to YouTube. In one video, two masked people hold signs showing the salaries of top Air Canada executives, and other signs with messages about having worked 167.5 hours one month, but only being paid for 82 hours while Twisted Sister's song We're Not Gonna Take It plays in the background.

"Respect our right to strike, Ms. Raitt," reads the last sign held up during the video.

Wages, pensions, crew rest time, working conditions and work rules are all issues in the negotiations. Flight attendants have twice voted down tentative agreements reached between its bargaining team and Air Canada management.