Flight attendants at Canada’s WestJet go on strike in dispute over pay
NEW YORK (AP) — Flight attendants with WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, went on strike Sunday in a dispute over pay. The Canadian Union of Public Employees represents the 4,400 cabin…
Flight attendants from WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, began a strike on Sunday amid a pay dispute. Represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the airline's 4,400 cabin crew members initiated the walkout, which was announced on their Facebook page without additional details. The airline subsequently canceled over 300 flights, causing disruptions for travelers during a three-day weekend.
WestJet confirmed the strike but emphasized its commitment to resolving the issue and maintaining service availability.
A central point of contention in the dispute was how flight attendants should be compensated for tasks performed while still on the ground. The union contended that certain duties were unpaid, whereas the company argued that staff were indeed compensated through a "credit hour" system instead of an hourly rate. According to Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, the airline presented a proposal aimed at establishing a new standard for cabin crew in Canada.
This proposal would have made WestJet the sole carrier offering an hourly rate for all pre- and post-flight time, along with a significant wage increase in the first year. However, the proposal was not accepted by the union.
WestJet stated that it could not operate any scheduled flights on Boeing 737 or 787 aircraft during the strike. Affected passengers were offered refunds or reaccommodation. The airline contacted individuals who had booked directly through its website, while those who booked via travel agents or third-party platforms were directed to contact the respective party. Code-share flights operated by airline partners and WestJet Encore flights on Q400 aircraft remained unaffected by the disruption.
The incident echoed a similar strike last summer, where Air Canada's flight attendants stranded more than 100,000 passengers during the peak travel season. The dispute centered on the same issue of groundwork, and the strike lasted three days before both parties reached an agreement.
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