TORONTO (August 18, 2025) – At an emergency meeting on August 17, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) unanimously supported CUPE’s legal strike by Air Canada flight attendants and passed a unanimous motion in response to the federal government’s shocking threat of invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. 

“This is a direct attack on workers’ rights,” said ACTRA National President Eleanor Noble. “The government’s move to shut down a legal strike is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unacceptable. Canadian Labour will not back down.” 

The federal directive forces CUPE members back to work and into binding arbitration—stripping workers of their fundamental right to strike. Labour leaders are calling on Prime Minister Carney’s government to immediately reverse course. 

“This isn’t only about the flight attendants,” Noble added. “If we allow this threat to go unchecked, ACTRA’s own rights could be next. Collective bargaining belongs at the negotiating table, not on Parliament Hill.” 

The motion passed by the CLC Canadian Council, of which ACTRA is a member, commits Canada’s unions to work alongside CUPE and all affiliates to resist the government’s intervention, including a coordinated campaign to demand that the federal government: 

• Immediately withdraw the Section 107 order ending the legal strike by the Air Canada works represented by CUPE; 
• Cease the use of Section 107 to end or prevent a legal strike in all federally regulated labour disputes; and 
• Amend the Canada Labour Code to remove Section 107 as a matter of urgent legislative priority when Parliament resumes. 

We continue to support the brave flight attendants who are standing up to these threats against their legal right to strike and to collective bargain fairly. ACTRA members are encouraged to support these Canadian workers in solidarity. Click here for more information on CUPE’s organizing efforts. 

About ACTRA:

Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) is the national union of professional performers working in recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of over 30,000 members across the country – the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.

Media Contact:

Carol Taverner, ACTRA National Public Relations Officer, Email: ctaverner@actra.ca