Air Canada pilot lockout, machinist strike blocked

Labour minister refers disputes to labour board, suspending job action

There will be no strike or lockout at Air Canada on March 12 following the Canadian labour minister's referral of two disputes to the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

The federal government has asked the board to rule on whether a work disruption at Air Canada poses a health and safety risk, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt said on March 8.

Raitt said the move suspends the airline’s machinists’ right to strike and the airline’s right to lock out its pilots.

Her decision comes only hours after Air Canada announced it would lock out its pilots on March 12, after the union representing the 3,000 workers failed to accept a final offer.

Air Canada’s 8,600 baggage handlers, mechanics, cargo agents, and electricians had also planned to strike at midnight on March 1.

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