Flight attendant union leaders ‘ready to go to jail’ as Air Canada strike outlawed

Arbitrator orders 10,000 striking staff back to work after government intervenes - unconstitutionally union says

Union leaders representing 10,000 striking flight attendants have said they would be willing to go to jail rather than comply with an order to return to work, as Canada's federal government seeks to end a bitter contract dispute that has halted hundreds of summer flights and stranded travellers around the world.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees said members would remain on the picket lines as part of a work stoppage that has halted Air Canada's national and international operations during its busiest season.