WestJet attendants strike update: What travellers need to know

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Not yet. The flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees have signalled the intent to go on strike, with negotiations continuing during a 72-hour notice period.

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WestJet attendants strike update: What travellers need to know

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The notice period runs out on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. MT, or 2:01 a.m. ET, which is the earliest a strike could begin if a deal is not reached. The two sides may yet come to an agreement earlier, or continue negotiating past the deadline if they are close to a deal.

WestJet said in a news release on Thursday that it is still actively negotiating to reach a deal. In a separate release, CUPE said the same.

Will all WestJet flights be cancelled?

WestJet issued an announcement early Saturday morning that it was cancelling 81 flights that had been scheduled for today.

However, if the two sides are not able to come to a tentative agreement before Sunday morning, more disruptions could occur.

WestJet said that in the coming days it will communicate with ticket-holders in advance of changes or cancellations to their flights.

Travellers booked on its regional WestJet Encore service or code-share flights run by an airline partner such as Delta Air Lines will not be affected by a strike, the carrier said.

What should I know about my upcoming flight?

Ahead of the potential strike, WestJet has been allowing passengers travelling between July 30 and Aug. 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation with no fees.

When delays or cancellations occur, the airline said affected passengers will be refunded or re-accommodated as applicable.

The airline said travellers who booked with WestJet directly will be notified of any changes through the contact information provided in their booking, and those who booked through a third party such as a travel agent should contact them directly.

Under passenger protection rules, it is the airline’s responsibility to arrange alternate transportation for ticket holders on a rival carrier’s flight if necessary.

On a long weekend, any change in plans is likely a complicated choice for travellers.

WestJet on Friday began grounding planes and then cancelling flights ahead of the possible strike or lockout, since winding down operations takes advanced planning.

How did we get here?

On July 15, WestJet flight attendants approved a strike mandate if the two sides are not able to reach a deal.

Union members voted 99 per cent in favour of the strike mandate, with turnout topping 97 per cent. Following a cooling-off period, the cabin crew could go on strike as soon as Aug. 2, which is a long weekend in most of the country.

On July 14, CUPE held rallies across the country in a “day of action” as part of a public-relations campaign. At the Calgary rally, some 250 WestJet flight attendants stood side by side in front of the airline’s headquarters. Meanwhile, ads have appeared on various platforms arguing the cabin crews’ case.

CUPE represented around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants who went on strike last summer and ultimately secured compensation increases. Ottawa intervened less than 12 hours after their strike began, requesting the Canada Industrial Relations Board end the strike and send the parties to binding arbitration.

But the board’s order was defied by union officials, leading it to declare the strike unlawful. Air Canada workers remained on the picket lines until the two sides came to a tentative deal three days into the strike.

What is this dispute all about?

Compensation for work done on the ground remains a key stumbling block in the talks, less than a year after the same issue sparked a work stoppage by Air Canada flight attendants.

The union has characterized certain ground duties as unpaid, but WestJet describes it differently.

WestJet’s current “credit hour” system combines flight time, ground duties, delays and other labour into a “single, higher rate of pay” that is then credited across the workday, the company says on its website.

The pay rate ranges between $28.88 and $53.61 per credit hour, the company says. At 80 credit hours a month — considered full-time work — that adds up to between $2,300 and $4,300.

Many airlines operate under a similar structure, but Delta Air Lines spearheaded reforms in 2022 when it became the first carrier in North America to pay flight attendants specifically for work done on the ground. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines followed suit with boarding pay of 50 per cent of regular rates.

Read more:

• Mediation and legislation: How the government could step into a WestJet strike
• Regina Little League team eyes WestJet talks as it heads to nationals
• New WestJet economy seats cause comfort, safety concerns for Regina flyer

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panews@pattisonmedia.com