Modern Commons Party Statement on Government Intervention in Labour Disputes
The Modern Commons Party of Canada stands in solidarity with Air Canada flight attendants, represented by CUPE, in their fight for fair wages and an end to unpaid labour. Today’s government back-to-work order and move to binding arbitration may bring short-term stability, but it deeply undermines the democratic right to strike and collective bargaining.
This follows a troubling pattern: the Liberal government claims to support workers—but then invokes back-to-work legislation, as seen in the 2024 Canada Post dispute and now once again with Air Canada. This refrain is damaging to labour rights and sets a dangerous precedent.
We call on the arbitrator to:
Ensure full compensation for all work performed, including ground and safety duties.
Address decades of wage stagnation and entry-level poverty-wage inequities.
Enforce fair scheduling and adequate rest periods to safeguard both safety and well-being.
Party Leader Jack Henry stated: “Ordering workers back on the job might keep flights in the air, but it strips away their most powerful tool to demand fairness. Flight attendants are being asked to do critical safety work without pay—and that is unacceptable in Canada. Arbitration must deliver more than a quick fix—it must deliver justice.”
The Modern Commons Party also calls for stronger federal labour protections to prevent systemic inequities, and for robust passenger rights that ensure travellers are supported during disruptions.
Canada depends on these workers for safety in the skies. They deserve dignity, fairness, and full recognition of the value they provide.
Join Us on the Road to 250
Moments like this show why Canada needs a stronger voice for workers in Parliament. The Modern Commons Party is building toward registering as an official party, to do so we need 250 signatures, a campaign we call the Road to 250.
If you believe in protecting the right to strike, ending unpaid labour, and putting fairness before corporate profit, we invite you to stand with us. Get involved, volunteer, or consider becoming a candidate in your community. Together, we can build a Canada that works for everyone.