Feds stop any immediate disruption of Air Canada service

Canada’s Minister of Labour, Lisa Raitt, has issued a referral pursuant to the Canada Labour Code, to determine the activities that Air Canada may be required to maintain as relates to the health and safety of Canadians. As a result of this CIRB referral, the IAMAW cannot commence a strike and Air Canada cannot lock out its pilots at least until this matter has been determined by the board. The strike deadline by the IAMAW and Air Canada’s lockout notice to ACPA, both originally scheduled for 00:01 am ET on March 12 have therefore no effect. There will therefore be no disruption of service and Air Canada’s full schedule remains unchanged.