Union for Air Canada flight attendants balks at federal government order to immediately end strike

The union that represents Air Canada flight attendants who walked off the job over the weekend said Sunday the workers will remain on strike despite the government's order to return to work. 

The Canadian Union of Public Employees urged the airline to “negotiate a fair deal," according to CNN. 

Earlier Sunday, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board said that flight attendants had to be back at work by 2 p.m. EST. The Canadian Labor Ministry has not responded to the union saying they won't return to work amid the order. 

Over 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job on Saturday to protest pay and scheduling conflicts that resulted due to a new contract. 

As a result of the strike, 700 flights were suspended and hundreds of thousands of travelers had to find other ways to travel or remain at the airport.