- The clock is ticking down toward a strike deadline that could see 4,400 WestJet flight attendants hit the picket line as soon as Sunday.
- WestJet says passengers with flights scheduled any time between July 30 and Aug. 4 can make a one-time change or cancel it with no fee.
- Customers whose flights are called off ahead of a potential strike have the right to rebook free of charge on any airline — not just WestJet.
- Whether a strike goes ahead may hinge largely on where the two bargaining teams land on ground pay.
WestJet flight attendants, numbering 4,400, are poised to strike as early as Sunday, following a 99% strike mandate vote in July. Negotiations have been ongoing, but key issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding ground pay and unpaid work compensation.14
The Canadian Union of Public Employees has intensified its public relations efforts, including a 'day of action' rally on July 14, to garner support for the flight attendants. The union argues that there is a significant amount of unpaid work that needs to be addressed at the bargaining table.
WestJet has announced that passengers with flights scheduled between July 30 and August 4 can change or cancel their flights without a fee, indicating the potential impact of a strike during the peak summer travel season. A brief shutdown could cost the airline millions of dollars.
The outcome of the negotiations may hinge on the resolution of ground pay issues, which have previously led to significant disruptions in the airline industry, as seen in a recent work stoppage involving 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada.
“WestJet is allowing passengers with flights scheduled between July 30 and Aug. 4 to change or cancel their bookings without a fee. Additionally, customers whose flights are canceled due to the strike can rebook free of charge on any airline, not just WestJet.”
BNN Bloomberg
