Clock ticks down on WestJet flight attendants’ strike deadline

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. Cabin crew at the Calgary-based airline voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike mandate in mid-July, with intense negotiations on a new contract ongoing since then and a mandatory cooling-off period drawing to a close. Past airline labour standoffs have prompted a ramp-up in flight cancellations a couple of days before the strike, which must be preceded by a 72-hour warning from the union.

That means that unless a deal is reached, some flights could start to be grounded by Friday. 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.

Travellers booked on its regional WestJet Encore service or code-share flights run by an airline partner such as Delta Air Lines will not be affected by a strike, the carrier said. Compensation for work done on the ground remains a key stumbling block in the talks, less than a year after the same issue sparked a work stoppage by 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada. “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,” said Alia Hussain, who chairs the union’s WestJet contingent, in an interview outside the Calgary airport earlier this month. “We believe that there is a large amount of unpaid work, which is why this remains an outstanding issue at the bargaining table.” WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech has pointed out that strike authorization is a typical step during negotiations “and does not mean a strike will occur.” “We are steadfast in our commitment to reach a meaningful agreement with CUPE that recognizes the contribution and professionalism of our cabin crew members and keeps WestJet competitive and sustainable,” he said in a recent statement. Even a brief shutdown would cost WestJet millions of dollars during the height of summer travel — on a long weekend across much of Canada — said John Gradek, who teaches aviation management at McGill University.

“WestJet can’t afford a complete shutdown during their peak summer travel period,” he said. The Canadian Union of Public Employees has been ratcheting up a public relations campaign in recent weeks, launching a “day of action” with rallies across the country on July 14.