WestJet Flight Attendants Issue Strike Notice, Lockout Also Possible
Thousands of WestJet flight attendants are on the verge of a work stoppage after their union issued a 72-hour strike notice. The airline has responded with its own 72-hour lockout notice, creating uncertainty for summer travellers. Negotiations are ongoing, with the earliest a strike could begin set for Sunday morning. WestJet has stated that current operations are unaffected but advises passengers to monitor communications for potential changes or cancellations.
A potential work stoppage at WestJet is looming as 4,400 flight attendants, represented by CUPE, have issued a 72-hour strike notice. In response, WestJet has also issued a 72-hour lockout notice. The negotiation period concludes early Sunday morning, marking the earliest possible time for a strike if an agreement is not reached. Both the union and the airline have stated they are actively negotiating.
WestJet has indicated that operations are not immediately impacted by these notices. However, if negotiations fail, flight disruptions could begin as early as Friday. The airline plans to proactively communicate with passengers regarding any flight changes or cancellations. Notably, WestJet Encore flights and code-share flights operated by partner airlines are not expected to be affected.
For travellers with bookings between July 30 and August 4, WestJet is offering a one-time fee-free change or cancellation. Should flights be cancelled or significantly delayed, passengers are assured of refunds or rebooking options. However, the form of refund (cash back or travel credit) may depend on the fare type purchased. Passengers who booked directly with WestJet will be notified of changes, while those who used third-party agents must coordinate through them.
The core issue in the dispute centers on compensation for ground duties, a point of contention that also led to a strike by Air Canada flight attendants last year. CUPE argues that certain ground tasks should be paid separately, while WestJet maintains its current 'credit hour' system, which combines flight time and ground duties into a single pay rate, is fair. Other North American airlines have begun implementing specific pay for ground duties, with Delta Air Lines pioneering this change.
(This content was created using generative AI, with partial edits and reviews by the administrator.)