Air Canada Strike Looms: 100,000 Passengers at Risk Amid Wage Dispute
August 15, 2025
Some travelers, like Anne-Marie Mulhall, are less affected and can adapt their plans, highlighting that flexibility varies depending on individual circumstances.
The potential strike threatens to disrupt business travel and tourism, especially during a fragile economic period marked by tariffs and shifting demand, with some travelers already adjusting their plans.
Government officials, including Hajdu, have urged both parties to make more progress, criticizing the limited advances and emphasizing the importance of resolving the dispute quickly.
Meanwhile, in Atlantic Canada, provincial governments in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have imposed outdoor activity restrictions to prevent wildfires caused by climate change, sparking public debate over government responsibility versus personal freedoms.
Air Canada and its unionized flight attendants remain in a dispute over wages and ground work compensation, with a planned strike set for August 16 that could cancel around 500 flights and impact approximately 100,000 passengers.
Despite government efforts to encourage negotiations, the union and airline are at an impasse, with both sides holding firm on their demands, and the dispute centers on unpaid labor and pay increases.
Travelers with upcoming Disney vacations are anxious about the strike's impact on their plans, with no clear guidance from Disney on refunds or rebooking options.
On the international stage, U.S. and Russian leaders are expected to hold a series of meetings in Anchorage, including a one-on-one session and delegation discussions, with no decision yet on a joint news conference.
Travelers are advised to stay informed through official channels and consider alternative arrangements, as the situation with the airline strike remains fluid and negotiations continue.
Many passengers, including those with urgent plans, are facing last-minute cancellations and increased costs, with some stranded and paying significant extra expenses for alternative flights.
Travel agents report that uncertainty is causing concern among travelers, especially international ones, with some risking financial loss or missing important events due to the strike.
Most cancellations are affecting domestic and transpacific flights, with limited impact on certain routes, but travelers are urged to check flight statuses regularly.
Labor experts criticize government intervention methods like Section 107, warning that such measures can weaken collective bargaining rights and set troubling precedents for industries like railways and ports.
Summary based on 72 sources
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Sources

Yahoo News • Aug 15, 2025
Deadline looms to avert Air Canada strike
Yahoo News • Aug 15, 2025
Air Canada could shut down completely unless the airline and its flight attendants reach a deal
Yahoo News • Aug 14, 2025
Supply chain disruptions feared as Air Canada prepares for strike
Yahoo News • Aug 14, 2025
Air Canada cancels flights over strike threat