A strike by WestJet flight attendants is underway after last-minute negotiations failed to lead to a new collective agreement.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 8125, which represents about 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, confirmed its members were on strike.
“We tried until the very last minute to get a fair deal that recognizes the value of the work cabin crews do,” said Alia Hussain, CUPE 8125 President. “WestJet’s offer did not go far enough.”
The job action comes after the union issued a strike notice last week, which saw the company issue its own lockout notice which is also in effect.
WestJet began winding down its jet flights on Saturday, and officially suspended all air travel bookings due to the job action. According to the company, the suspension goes until Aug. 5, though if a deal isn’t reached before then it’s expected to last longer.
The airline says Encore flights continue to operate.
The dispute centres largely on compensation for work performed on the ground, including boarding passengers, completing safety checks and managing delays.
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Barry Eidlin, a sociology professor and labour expert at McGill University, said WestJet flight attendants are generally paid only while an aircraft is in the air, even though delays have become increasingly common.
According to the WestJet, people with travel booked between July 30 and Aug. 4 will be able to make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost.
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement early Sunday morning that it was a “disappointing development.”
“A strike or lockout does not mean an agreement can’t be reached, the expectation is that parties can and should come to an agreement at the bargaining table,” Hajdu said.
She added that the federal government is urging both sides to come to a deal.
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