The labor union representing 4,400 flight attendants at WestJet has officially given a 72-hour strike notice, potentially leading to a strike amid the peak summer travel period. The Canadian Union of Public Employees has emphasized significant differences in key negotiation points between the two sides.
Alia Hussain, chair of the union’s WestJet division, stated in a press release that they have clearly outlined necessary changes and have diligently pursued a fair agreement. Despite the looming strike possibility, Hussain expressed optimism in reaching a resolution by continuing negotiations around the clock.
In response to the strike notice, WestJet has issued a 72-hour lockout notice. The airline, Canada’s second-largest, affirmed its commitment to ongoing negotiations to secure a mutually beneficial agreement. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech acknowledged the inconvenience caused to passengers and emphasized the importance of safeguarding the airline’s operations.
If an agreement is not reached, potential job action could commence as early as 12:01 a.m. MT on Sunday. WestJet is enabling passengers with flights scheduled between July 30 and Aug. 4 to make free changes or cancellations. Services like WestJet Encore and code-share flights are expected to operate normally during any strike.
Both parties have also established protocols for grounding aircraft and ensuring the safe return of cabin crew in case of a work stoppage. Disagreements persist over issues like unpaid ground duties, with WestJet asserting that all tasks are compensated through a credit hour system rather than an hourly wage.
Industry experts, including John Gradek from McGill University, anticipate substantial financial losses for WestJet if a strike occurs during the busy summer period. The airline operates over 600 daily flights, serving a large volume of passengers on a regular basis.
