Canada?s largest airline suffered a number of flight cancellations over the weekend as a group of pilots called in sick. Air Canada officials have described the pilots? actions as an organized effort to disrupt service by the airline, part of an ongoing labor dispute between the company and the pilot?s union, and has asked the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to investigate. Several pilots responded that the cancellations were due to troublesome weather as well as a utility fire at Toronto?s airport. The weekend marked the beginning of Canada?s national spring break week, in which many families travel for vacation.
See "Air Canada turns to labor board as pilots call in sick", Janet Guttsman, Chicago Tribune, March 19, 2012