WestJet cancels flights as Sunday strike deadline looms
WestJet said it is negotiating with CUPE as 4,400 flight attendants prepare for a possible strike or lockout over ground-pay disputes.
- WestJet cancelled 81 flights for Saturday as a work stoppage looms for 4,400 flight attendants, with a 72-hour strike notice from the Canadian Union of Public Employees expiring Sunday at 12:01 a.m. MT.
- Compensation for ground duties remains the key stumbling block, mirroring previous Air Canada disputes; the union characterizes these duties as unpaid, while WestJet maintains its "credit hour" system provides a "single, higher rate of pay."
- Flight attendants approved a strike mandate with a 99 per cent vote on July 15, and CUPE held a nationwide "day of action" on July 14, including a rally at Calgary headquarters with some 250 attendants present.
- Passengers may change or cancel flights without fees for travel between July 30 and August 4, while under passenger protection rules, the airline must arrange alternate transportation on rival carriers if disruptions occur.
- Negotiations continue during the 72-hour notice period, though the long-weekend deadline complicates travel planning; if a deal remains elusive by Sunday, the cabin crew may initiate the work stoppage as planned.
31 Articles
31 Articles
WestJet begins flight cancellations ahead of strike
Aug 1 (Reuters) - WestJet said on Saturday it has begun cancelling flights in response to the CUPE union's notice to strike and has cancelled 86 flights. Canada's second-largest carrier said it remains at the bargaining table with the unio...
Global News
dailyguardian.caWestJet cancels 81 flights ahead of possible flight attendant strike
WestJet has begun cancelling flights ahead of a potential flight attendant strike, saying the move is intended to prevent widespread disruptions across its network.
meadowlakeNOW
Battlefords NOWWestJet attendants strike update: What travellers need to know
(Image Credit: WestJet planes on the tarmac. WestJet said that in the coming days it will communicate with ticket-holders in advance of changes or cancellations to their flights. (Canadian Press files))
Thousands of Westjet customers will have to find another flight to travel or return home.
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