Travellers flying with WestJet over the BC Day long weekend may want to keep a close eye on their email inbox.
Around 4,400 WestJet flight attendants could walk off the job this weekend after their union issued a 72-hour strike notice on the morning of Thursday, July 30th..
A work stoppage could begin as early as 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time on Sunday, August 2nd. For travellers in BC, that means the strike could begin at 11:01 p.m. Saturday.
WestJet responded to the strike notice by issuing its own 72-hour lockout notice.
Neither notice means a labour disruption is guaranteed to happen and there was no immediate impact on flights when the notices were issued. WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125 remain at the bargaining table.
However, the airline is now preparing to operate a reduced schedule and says some changes or cancellations could begin before the deadline as it works to avoid leaving passengers, crews and aircraft stranded.
CUPE says the two sides remain too far apart on several major issues, including wages and compensation for work performed while aircraft are on the ground.
The union is seeking pay for flight attendants from the time they check in for a shift until they clock out. Under the current compensation structure, cabin crew are primarily paid while an aircraft is in motion.
“We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal,” CUPE 8125 president Alia Hussain said in a statement issued Thursday.
Hussain stressed that issuing strike notice does not mean flight attendants want to walk off the job.
“There’s still time to avoid a strike,” she said, adding that the union intends to continue bargaining around the clock.
WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the company did not make the decision to issue a lockout notice lightly.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests,” he said.
Von Hoensbroech said WestJet remains committed to negotiating an agreement that provides meaningful improvements for cabin crew while remaining sustainable for the airline.
The potential strike follows an overwhelming strike mandate from union members earlier this month. More than 99% of participating flight attendants voted to authorize strike action, with 97.3% of members taking part in the vote.
What WestJet passengers should know
WestJet is offering additional flexibility to passengers booked to travel between Thursday, July 30th and Tuesday, August 4th.
According to the airline’s current travel advisory, eligible passengers can make a one-time change or cancellation without paying an additional fee.
WestJet says it will also:
- Prepare to operate a reduced flight schedule
- Manage changes and cancellations in advance whenever possible
- Notify passengers who booked directly through WestJet using the email address attached to their reservation
- Refund or rebook affected passengers when flights are delayed or cancelled, as applicable
Passengers who booked through a travel agent or online booking website are being advised to contact that company directly.
Those with WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations or Vacances WestJet Québec bookings should receive information directly from their vacation provider.
Travellers are encouraged to check their flight status regularly, confirm their contact information is correct and watch for emails from WestJet before heading to the airport.
Negotiations are expected to continue ahead of Saturday night’s deadline.
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