Air Canada Wildcat Strike Snarls Airports

Air Canada strike | BCBusiness
Hundreds of Air Canada’s ground crew walked off their jobs in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver, delaying or cancelling dozens of flights.

Air Canada ground workers walk out at Pearson, and others follow in Montreal and Vancouver, leaving passengers fuming and stranded.

 
Based on the angry tweets of marooned passengers, the latest Air Canada strike has created numerous loyal WestJet flyers.
 
Thursday night hundreds of Air Canada’s ground crew walked off the job in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City to protest the suspension of three employees who allegedly heckled Labour Minister Lisa Raitt upon her arrival at Pearson.
 
Once workers walked off the job in Pearson, more followed in solidarity in Montreal, Quebec City and even a few baggage handlers here in Vancouver.
 
Friday morning, Air Canada obtained an injunction to force the employees back to work. Some have reportedly complied, but many refuse to leave the protest at Pearson.
 
As a result of what the airline is describing as illegal walkouts, around 200 flights in and out of Pearson were delayed or cancelled completely.
 
Disgruntled workers blame much of their frustration on Raitt stripping Air Canada employees of their right to strike. And while the strike is now essentially over, Air Canada customers are still fuming over the inconvenience and many on Twitter have threatened to defect to WestJet.
 
The striking employees have created an air of uncertainty that threatens Air Canada’s future business. And that uncertainty makes for pretty effective leverage.