"We’re sympathetic, but we will not be returning to the skies this afternoon."
Mike Hancock, national president of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), addressed the public and media at a press conference in Ontario at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, stating its members will not be returning to work until they receive a fair bargaining collective agreement with Air Canada.
"We are sorry the public is caught up in this and stranded across the globe. That was not something we wanted to be impacted," said Hancock.
CUPE is the union representing thousands of Air Canada flight attendants across Canada who began striking on Aug. 16, fighting for a new collective agreement at major airports, including Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary.
Shortly after, a lockout was initiated by Air Canada, citing it as a "necessary" step in response to the stoppage.
Monday's press conference was held shortly after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) said the union's decision to defy a back-to-work order was "unlawful."
CUPE was ordered to "cease all activities that declare or authorize an unlawful strike of its members and to direct the members of the bargaining unit to resume the performance of their duties" by 9 a.m. PST, according to CIRB vice chairperson Jennifer Webster in a written directive.
Candace Rennick, national secretary-treasurer for CUPE, said the members' only goal is to be paid for their time at work, and the union "deeply regrets" the impact it is having on the public.
"Our fight is not with you. We do not want to be here. Our flight attendants certainly do not want to be here," said Rennick.
Flight attendants and cabin crew with Air Canada's 10-year contract ended in March, and they have since been negotiating with their employer for a "fair collective agreement."
All flight attendants are paid by the hour with a "minimum monthly guarantee" of flying hours, but this doesn't include the one hour flight attendants need to be at the airport before the flight for pre-checks, the time they need to stay until the last passenger de-planes or flight delays.
In less than 24 hours of a strike that began on Aug. 16, federal jobs Minister Patty Hajdu directed the CIRB to intervene and end the labour dispute.
"After nine months of stonewalling negotiations, the federal government [taking away] their right to their future is something we cannot support," said Rennick.
"In good conscience, we cannot look away as this happens. We cannot and will not turn our back on these workers."
About 50 flight attendants were demonstrating at YVR on Monday morning with signs calling for a fair contract. One sign read: "Shame on you Hajdu."
"Hey, hey, Rousseau, unpaid workers have to go," the striking flight attendants chanted at the picket line.
Michael Rousseau is the CEO of Air Canada.
CUPE's Hancock said no one wants to "be in defiance of any law," but they will stay strong and committed to their workers so they can "do the job they love" while being able to "afford a roof over their heads and to afford caring for their families."
"If it means folks like me going to jail, then so be it. If it means our union being fined, then so be it," said Hancock.
The union said it has reached out and is waiting for the employer to bargain, but has not heard any response.
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