The union representing 4,400 flight attendants at WestJet has given a 72-hour strike notice, indicating the possibility of a strike during the busy summer travel season. The Canadian Union of Public Employees states that there are significant differences between the two sides on critical matters.
Alia Hussain, chair of the union’s WestJet group, emphasized the need for changes and a fair agreement in a press release on Thursday. Hussain mentioned ongoing efforts to avoid a strike, expressing the union’s commitment to continuous bargaining until a resolution is reached.
WestJet, in response to the strike notice, has issued a 72-hour lockout notice. The airline is actively engaged in negotiations to secure a deal. CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to guests due to the ongoing uncertainty.
If no agreement is reached, job action could commence on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. MT. WestJet has been accommodating passengers affected by the potential strike, allowing them to make changes or cancellations without fees for flights scheduled between July 30 and Aug. 4. The airline assured that regional flights and code-share services will not be impacted by the strike.
The union and WestJet have also finalized a plan for handling aircraft grounding and ensuring the return of cabin crew in the event of a work stoppage. A key issue for the union is unpaid ground duties, while WestJet maintains that all tasks are compensated through a credit hour system.
John Gradek, an aviation management instructor at McGill University, highlighted the significant financial impact a brief shutdown would have on the airline during the peak summer travel period. WestJet operates over 600 daily flights, serving a large number of passengers, with some days exceeding 70,000 travelers.