- Cabin crew at WestJet voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike mandate in mid-July, indicating strong support for potential strike action.
- Intense negotiations on a new contract have been ongoing since the strike mandate vote, with key issues still unresolved.
- A strike could happen as soon as this Sunday, with 4,400 WestJet flight attendants potentially hitting the picket line.
- Wages and claims of unpaid work remain major sticking points in the negotiations, according to the union.
- Compensation for work done on the ground is a key stumbling block in the talks, echoing issues that previously led to a work stoppage by Air Canada flight attendants.
- WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech stated that strike authorization is a typical step during negotiations and does not guarantee a strike will occur.
- A brief shutdown could cost WestJet millions of dollars during the peak summer travel season, according to aviation management experts.
- The Canadian Union of Public Employees has intensified its public relations campaign, including a 'day of action' with rallies across the country on July 14.
WestJet flight attendants are poised to strike as early as August 2, following a 99 percent vote in favor of a strike mandate. The 4,400 crew members are in dispute over wages and unpaid work, with negotiations ongoing since mid-July.
The union highlights that unpaid work and the wage rate are critical issues. Alia Hussain, chair of the union’s WestJet contingent, stated, “The sticking point right now for us is unpaid work and how our wage is triggered. In addition to that, it’s our actual wage rate.”
WestJet has advised passengers with flights scheduled between July 30 and August 4 that they can change or cancel their flights without a fee. The airline's CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, noted that strike authorization is a common negotiation step, emphasizing that it does not guarantee a strike will occur.
A potential strike could significantly impact WestJet, costing the airline millions during the peak summer travel season. John Gradek, an aviation management expert at McGill University, remarked, “Even a brief shutdown would cost WestJet millions of dollars during the height of summer travel.”7
The Canadian Union of Public Employees has intensified its public relations efforts, including a “day of action” with rallies across Canada on July 14, to garner support for the flight attendants' cause.8
“The union cites unpaid work and wage rate issues as major sticking points in negotiations, with a strike potentially costing WestJet millions during peak summer travel. Alia Hussain, chair of the union's WestJet contingent, emphasized that these wage concerns are critical as the cooling-off period ends.”
