WestJet begins cancelling flights as flight attendants prepare for a potential strike starting Sunday morning.
WestJet has initiated an organized reduction of its flight schedule to prepare for a potential strike by flight attendants beginning Sunday morning. The airline has already cancelled 81 to 86 flights scheduled for Saturday to minimize the risk of stranding passengers and aircraft. The dispute centers on compensation for ground work, as flight attendants currently receive pay primarily while the aircraft is in the air, while the union seeks better pay for duties such as boarding and safety checks. WestJet has issued a 72-hour strike notice in response to a 72-hour lockout notice from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 8125). Both parties remain in active negotiations to reach a deal before the work stoppage begins. The airline is offering free cancellations and flight changes for passengers traveling between Thursday and Tuesday. While the attendants are paid between C$28 and $58 per hour, the union argues that the current model leaves them working without pay for up to 35 hours per month. WestJet maintains that its current credit hour system is the standard pay model across North America.