Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has expressed the need for additional information from airlines and unions to address recent allegations of unpaid work within the aviation sector. The federal government recently released the preliminary findings of an investigation initiated six months ago following claims made during collective bargaining between Air Canada and its flight attendants’ union.
Over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants participated in a strike in August 2025, causing disruptions for numerous passengers. The dispute primarily revolved around assertions from the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Air Canada division that flight attendants were not being compensated for certain duties, such as ground tasks.
Under federal regulations, employers in industries like aviation must ensure that employees are paid at or above the federal minimum wage. The initial phase of the probe by Hajdu’s department did not uncover evidence of compensation practices falling below these standards in the aviation sector. However, it highlighted the need for a closer look at compensation practices for part-time and entry-level flight attendants.
In discussions with The Canadian Press, Hajdu mentioned hearing anecdotal reports from union members about instances where they were not fully compensated for flight delays, which could not be verified through pay records due to discrepancies. Hajdu emphasized the importance of receiving more detailed data from both unions and employers to fully assess the validity of these claims.
The investigation, triggered by the Air Canada labor dispute, extended to the broader Canadian aviation industry. While most airlines adhere to a credit-based compensation model for flight attendants, the report indicated the need for a comprehensive review of this system to ensure it aligns with intended purposes.
Moving forward, a meeting is scheduled later this month in Ottawa with airline and union representatives to review minimum wage requirements in detail. The government is also urging airlines to conduct self-audits on pay records to confirm compliance with the Labor Code.
Despite the government’s collaborative approach, Wesley Lesosky, president of CUPE’s airline division, expressed disappointment in what he perceived as a lack of action to address the issue of unpaid work by airlines. Hajdu emphasized the government’s readiness to enforce compliance through orders or penalties if necessary.
Air Canada and Porter Airlines welcomed the outcomes of the investigation, affirming their commitment to participate in further phases of the probe. Efforts are underway to resolve outstanding wage issues through arbitration and contractual negotiations between the airlines and flight attendants’ union.
As the industry navigates ongoing discussions on compensation, Hajdu stressed the importance of attaining clarity on wage requirements to foster improved relationships between labor groups and employers in the aviation sector.
