Flight attendants at Canada’s second-largest airline WestJet have gone on strike during one of the busiest summer holiday weekends in the country.
As of early Sunday morning, some 600 flights have been cancelled, according to the airline.
The industrial action centres on issues related to pay, specifically compensation for work they do when the plane has yet to take off – known as ground pay in the airline industry.
Calgary-based WestJet, which flies to more than 130 Canadian and international destinations, says it “remains at the table and committed to achieving a negotiated tentative agreement that recognises the important contributions and professionalism of WestJet’s Cabin Crew”.
Here’s a breakdown of what the disruption could mean if you’re travelling.
The 72-hour strike notice announced by the union ran out on Sunday at 2:01 a.m. EST, in the middle of a long weekend across most of the country.
It comes after union members voted 99 per cent in favour of the strike mandate last month.
The airline began parking flights on Friday in preparation even as negotiations continued.
Both sides are in continued negotiations on Sunday even as the labour action began.
Patti Hajdu, Canada’s jobs minister, called the strike a “disappointing development” in a statement on X on Sunday and urged the parties to continue working towards a deal.
She did not say that Ottawa would intervene to end the dispute, which it has done in the past, including with an Air Canada strike last year.
WestJet said on Sunday that all impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable.
WestJet said 600 flights had been cancelled by Sunday morning. They have asked passengers to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport.
WestJet Encore flights booked on a Q400 and WestJet codeshare flights will not be affected by any potential labour disruptions, the carrier says. (BBC)