WestJet flight attendants go on strike after talks fall through, grounding flights

Flight attendants at WestJet, Canada's second-largest carrier, initiated a strike on Sunday after unsuccessful negotiations with the company, causing flight disruptions during peak summer travel. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, demanded compensation for time spent before and after flights, a practice not currently in place.

This action followed a four-day strike at rival Air Canada in August, reflecting a growing campaign by flight attendants in Canada and the U.S. to alter the current pay structure. The union had warned the airline of a potential strike if talks did not yield an agreement, resulting in WestJet issuing a lock-out notice. Despite attempts to reach a deal, the union deemed WestJet's offer insufficient, with union president Alia Hussain stating that "WestJet’s offer did not go far enough."

The airline, holding a 30% domestic market share, confirmed the strike and pledged to accommodate affected passengers through refunds or rebooking. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech revealed the proposal included an hourly rate for pre-and post-flight time and a significant wage increase. Canada's jobs minister, Patty Hajdu, expressed disappointment, emphasizing that a strike does not preclude reaching an agreement.

WestJet canceled 309 flights before the strike, aiming to prevent guest disruptions. The Canadian government previously intervened to avert an Air Canada strike, which the union later ignored. The WestJet division of the union expressed hope that the Canadian government would refrain from interfering in the ongoing bargaining process.