The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) issued the following letter to Prime Minister of Canada on August 15, 2025. Download the letter here.
On behalf of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), representing 54 affiliated unions and one million workers, we demand that your government refrain from any government intervention in the collective bargaining process between the Air Canada Component of CUPE and Air Canada/Air Canada Rouge.
CUPE has provided the required 72-hours’ notice of strike action, with the earliest possible strike time set for Saturday, August 16 at 12:58 a.m. Eastern. Air Canada has responded with a lockout deadline of
1:30 a.m. that same morning. This is lawful collective bargaining and it must be allowed to proceed without government intrusion.
Just last month, you stated: “The Canadian government has steadfastly defended our workers and businesses. We will continue to do so.” Those words must hold true here. Defending workers cannot mean defending them only from external threats. It must mean refusing to let our own government turn against them. Invoking sections 107 or 108 of the Canada Labour Code or using any other tool to impose a settlement or limit the right to strike, would be a direct betrayal of that commitment. It would say you side with corporations instead of working people, a choice the labour movement and the public will not forget.
Air Canada promotes itself as a national symbol and a representation of Canadian values. Undervaluing the workers, who make Air Canada a national symbol by keeping passengers safe and the airline running, is not one of those values, and Canadians are watching.
We urge you to make a public commitment that your government will take no steps toward government intervention in these negotiations and will allow both parties to reach a fair agreement at the bargaining table.
Sincerely,
Laura Walton
President Ontario Federation of Labour
On behalf of 54 affiliated unions and one million workers
C: Mark Hancock, President, CUPE National
