- WestJet is allowing passengers with flights scheduled from July 30 to Aug. 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation to their bookings with no fee amid a strike threat.
- The airline stated that this policy is meant to provide guests with greater flexibility and confidence in their upcoming travel plans due to the ongoing situation with flight attendants.
- Earlier this month, WestJet flight attendants voted 99.4 per cent in favor of a strike, which could legally commence on August 2.
- WestJet expressed hope that an agreement can be reached to avoid guest disruption, acknowledging the uncertainty around travel plans.
- The union representing flight attendants, CUPE Local 8125, has highlighted wages, unpaid work, and working conditions as major sticking points in negotiations with WestJet.
- Flight attendants reportedly perform an average of 35 hours of unpaid work each month under WestJet's flight credit system, and claim that wages are not keeping pace with inflation.
- A potential strike could occur during the peak of Canada's summer travel season, reminiscent of last year's Air Canada flight attendants' strike that grounded around 700 daily flights.
- Aviation expert John Gradek has indicated that a full travel shutdown could impact between 70,000 and 75,000 passengers each day if a strike occurs.
WestJet flight attendants have voted 99.4% in favor of a strike, with about 4,400 union members represented by CUPE Local 8125 potentially walking off the job on August 2. In anticipation of this labor disruption, WestJet is allowing passengers to change or cancel flights scheduled from July 30 to August 4 without fees.134
The airline stated that this policy aims to provide guests with greater flexibility and confidence in their travel plans during this uncertain time. WestJet emphasized, “We believe that an agreement can be reached while avoiding guest disruption. However, we understand that uncertainty around travel plans can be concerning,” in a communication to WestJet Rewards members.25
CUPE 8125 president Alia Hussain remarked on the airline's decision, stating, “I’m sure [the labour dispute] has introduced a lot of uncertainty for [passengers], and I think it’s the responsibility of the organization to allow for flexible changes to the people who pay my mortgage.” The union has highlighted key issues in negotiations, including wages, unpaid work, and working conditions, claiming flight attendants perform an average of 35 hours of unpaid work each month under WestJet’s flight credit system. They argue that wages are not keeping pace with inflation.67
Aviation expert John Gradek noted that a full travel shutdown could impact between 70,000 and 75,000 passengers each day if a strike occurs, coinciding with the peak of Canada’s summer travel season. This situation echoes last year’s Air Canada strike, which grounded around 700 daily flights and affected over half a million passengers.9
“The strike authorization received 99.4% support from 4,400 cabin crew represented by CUPE Local 8125, with a legal strike possible as early as Aug. 2. The union cites wages that have not kept pace with inflation and an average of 35 hours of unpaid work per month as key sticking points.”
