Ottawa to Order Air Canada Strikers Back to Work

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt says the delays and cancellations caused by the strike could hurt the economy.

The federal government will order striking Air Canada employees back to work if they can't agree on a new contract with the airline within 48 hours. Labour Minister Lisa Raitt said in the House of Commons today that she would introduce back-to-work legislation on Thursday for the 3,800 customer service employees striking against the nation's largest airline. So far, there have been numerous flight delays and a few cancellations as Air Canada managers who have replaced the striking workers figure out their new jobs. Raitt said a prolonged strike would threaten to derail the ongoing economic recovery.