WestJet flight attendants may begin a strike as early as Sunday morning over pay disputes.
WestJet flight attendants may begin a strike as early as Sunday morning if negotiations regarding pay fail to reach a conclusion. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 8125) issued a 72-hour strike notice, while WestJet issued a corresponding 72-hour lockout notice, both expiring Sunday at 12:01 a.m. MT. The primary dispute centers on 'ground pay,' where flight attendants currently work without pay for up to 35 hours per month on tasks such as boarding, safety sweeps, and managing delays. To mitigate potential disruptions, WestJet has begun an 'organized take-down' of its network, cancelling dozens of flights on Saturday to ensure aircraft are positioned correctly. The airline maintains that its current credit hour system is the industry standard, while the union argues that flight attendants deserve compensation for time spent on the ground. Both parties remain in active negotiations and are committed to reaching a deal before the work stoppage begins.