Air travel is not an essential service. These flight attendants deserve to be paid for the time they work, and for the time they’re away from home.
this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2025
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Why does it matter that air travel is not an essential service?
Previously, both pilots and machinists unions have been ordered back to work by the government. Workers need to have the right to strike. Nobody’s dying if the flight doesn’t leave, unlike for example medical workers. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft-maintenance-technology/aircraft-technology/commercial-airline/news/10662443/air-canada-pilots-machinists-challenge-back-to-work-legislation
Almost every job is eventually a critically essential service. Machinists can definitely strike for a week and nothing will grind to a halt. They can't strike for 6 months, but there's a very simple solution to that problem.
Pilots are pretty much the same really.
An essential service is one that provides a service necessary to the safety or security of the public. Canada recognizes a constitutional right to strike; however, the government has notably forced striking labour back to work.
Air travel is not an essential service.
Fully agreed!
It's just a trick to crack down on strikes.