VANCOUVER, B.C. – Over 4,400 flight attendants from WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, went on strike this Sunday over an ongoing dispute regarding unpaid ground duties and wage rates. This major strike, organized by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), forced WestJet to cancel over 300 flights. The disruptions caused widespread travel chaos across the country right in the middle of a busy three-day holiday weekend.
Key Takeaways
- WestJet’s 4,400 flight attendants went on strike this Sunday, resulting in over 300 canceled flights and disrupting the travel plans of more than 250,000 passengers.
- The primary cause of the dispute is how flight attendants are compensated for work performed on the ground before and after flights.
- The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) argues that this ground labor is unpaid. WestJet argues its “credit hour” system appropriately compensates for this time.
The main disagreement centers around how flight attendants are paid for pre- and post-flight duties. Flight attendants are required to perform a range of duties while the plane is still on the ground. These include safety checks, boarding assistance, and managing delays. The union claims this labor is effectively unpaid.
However, WestJet claims that its staff is fairly compensated. The airline uses a “credit hour” system. This model bundles flight time, ground duties, and delays into a single calculation. WestJet argues this system provides a higher overall rate of pay for its employees.
The union strongly disagrees with this assessment. Strikers claim the system robs them of roughly $1,100 per month. This system particularly penalizes those who are low-paid or have less seniority. To express their frustration, picketing flight attendants held signs declaring, “Unpaid labour won’t fly”.
What Is on the Table
Just before the strike, WestJet proposed a new deal. According to WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech, the offer would have made WestJet the first airline in Canada to provide an hourly rate for all ground time. The deal also included a 13% wage increase in October.
It offered retroactive wage payments dating back to January, meal per diem hikes, and expanded vacation time. However, Alia Hussain, the local CUPE president, stated that the offer “did not go far enough”. She added that the union is willing to return to the bargaining table to reach a fair deal. The union hopes the federal government will not interfere with the process.
WestJet Travelers Left Stranded
The strike has left thousands of travelers scrambling to find alternative arrangements. With 250,000 passengers affected, many are struggling to find new flights or temporary accommodations. Some stranded travelers, like Keavin Ly, found themselves stuck in British Columbia after their flights to Los Angeles were canceled.
With accommodations fully booked, travelers are facing major inconveniences. WestJet stated that it is unable to operate any flights using its Boeing 737s or 787s. However, flights operated on Q400s by WestJet Encore, along with code-share partner flights, remain unaffected.
The airline has promised to refund or re-accommodate affected passengers. As the strike continues, the pressure is on both sides to reach a swift resolution.
