Mix of emotions at YVR

Emotions are running high at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as all Air Canada flights have been canceled on Monday.

After flight attendants announced they would defy a federal order to return to work, passengers have continued to face frustrations.

“I will never come back to Canada due to this strike,” said one woman from Italy who is left stranded at YVR.

“I’m sorry. It’s a pity because Canada is wonderful. You can’t allow a strike in a holiday period,” she added in an interview with 1130 NewsRadio.

Especially international travelers face obstacles in scrambling to get home after visiting Canada.

One man from Mexico says that while the airline ghosted him online, he is now trying to find a solution in person after staying in a hotel.

“Now we are trying to find another flight, but it’s a bit complicated,” the man said.

“For me, it is easier because I have a visa for the U.S., so I can go through there and then to Mexico. But my friends didn’t, so they’re going to wait,” the man explained.

Only few people rebooked on alternate flights

Only a few people 1130 NewsRadio spoke at the YVR terminals have been successfully rebooked on alternate flights.

Another person said he is trying to get his family back to Beijing, China.

After hours on the phone, he decided to try his luck in person.

“It’s very difficult for me, I have two kids here,” he said.

“And the most important thing is that I have to spend more money. I have to pay the hotel fee, the transportation fee, and food,” he added.

In the meantime, the flight attendants remain persistent on the picket line.

“We are entitled to fair pay, fair wages,” said Henly Larden, the local union representative.

Despite ignoring binding arbitration by the Canada Industrial Relations Board to return to work, 400 flight attendants are lining the road to the Departures Terminal at YVR, rallying for their demands.

Union wants fair contract

“This is no longer about bargaining. This is now a movement for labour rights in Canada,” Larden added.

“There is absolutely nothing illegitimate about protecting our Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” she explained.

CUPE, the union behind the strike, demands that Air Canada return to the negotiation table.

“If they want to fix this, they can come to the table and negotiate a fair contract,” Larden said.

It is not just Vancouver that is affected; flights affected are being canceled from coast to coast, according to Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau.

The airline estimated that some 500,000 customers are affected by cancelled flights on Monday across the country.