A WestJet flight from Calgary arrives at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Enfield, N.S., on July 6, 2020. The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan
The union that represents nearly 4,400 flight attendants at WestJet has announced a 72-hour strike notice to the airline, prompting WestJet to issue a lockout notice in response.
Both WestJet and CUPE Local8125 issued statements on July 30 confirming job action could begin if an agreement is not reached by Aug. 2 at 12 a.m. Mountain Time.
Without a deal, the strike could start halfway through the Civic Holiday long weekend, disrupting travel during a peak summer travel period.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees said in a July 30 statement that the two sides remain far apart on several issues.
“We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal,” CUPE 8125 President Alia Hussain said, adding that there is “still time to avoid a strike.”
“We will continue to bargain around the clock until this is resolved,” Hussain said.
WestJet said in a July 30 press release that it has responded to the union’s strike notice by issuing a 72-hour lockout notice.
The Calgary airline said these notices do not immediately impact air travel, but this could change if a deal is not finalized by Aug. 2.
“The decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union, was not one that was made lightly,” WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in the press release. “Our commitment remains at the bargaining table, where we will continue to work around the clock to come to an agreement that provides value and meaningful improvements for our Cabin Crew and is sustainable for our company.”
The air carrier, the second-largest in Canada, said it “will take all necessary actions to manage the potential impacts as much as possible” if a strike occurs.
WestJet has announced that passengers with flights booked between July 30 and Aug. 4 can make a one-time change or cancel their flight without incurring any fees.
Those who are booked on WestJet Encore’s regional service or on code-share flights operated by partner airlines like Delta Air Lines will not be impacted by a strike, the company said.
“Should flight delays or cancellations occur, impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable,” the airline added.
WestJet cabin crew voted 99.4 percent in favour of a strike mandate on July 15, providing union officials with the power to call for a strike after a designated cooling-off period.
Bargaining teams have continued intensive negotiations as the mandatory cooling-off period nears its end in a bid to avoid a work stoppage. The two sides signed an agreement this week to detail the protocols for returning cabin crew home in the event of a work stoppage during flights.
Cabin crew assigned to a flight when any job action occurs would complete the journey to its intended destination, according to the deal. Those who cannot return home immediately will be offered hotel accommodations for a maximum of one week or a flight to another Canadian city, “subject to seat availability.”
The union has listed unpaid work for ground duties as a key issue. WestJet has said all duties are compensated through a “credit hour” system rather than an hourly rate.
WestJet says it operates more than 600 flights daily, transporting as many as 70,000 on certain days.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
