• Air Canada flight attendants' strike ends after four days, impacting 130,000 travelers daily.
• The union secures a deal ensuring pay for ground work, ending compensation disputes.
• Air Canada plans to gradually resume operations while facing ongoing cancellations.
• Details of the agreement will be presented to union members for ratification.
• Federal labor interventions are criticized for limiting workers' rights in recent years.

After nearly four days of disruption, Air Canada's flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement with the airline, signaling the end of a strike that affected around 130,000 travelers daily. The union announced the deal early on August 19, following discussions that resumed late Monday, which marked the first talks since the strike began over the weekend, according to Los Angeles Times.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) emphasized that the agreement will ensure members are paid for work performed while planes are on the ground, addressing a significant issue that led to the strike. "Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power," CUPE stated, as reported by NPR.

Air Canada plans to gradually restart its operations starting Tuesday evening, although full restoration of service may take up to ten days, as aircraft and crew are currently out of position. Some flights may continue to be canceled during this period, as highlighted by Al Jazeera.

Despite the return to negotiations, the strike had previously created a significant travel disruption, leading to over 2,700 flight cancellations. Earlier on Monday, the Canada Industrial Relations Board had declared the strike illegal, ordering the attendants to resume work. However, CUPE had indicated it would defy the order, thus escalating tensions, noted Le Monde.

The government’s involvement in the dispute was met with criticism, with labor leaders arguing the current laws undermine workers' rights to strike. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu previously invoked legal provisions to halt the strike and push both parties into mediation, a point underscored by Times of India.