WestJet's flight attendants began voting on a strike mandate Wednesday morning, the union representing them confirmed. The vote, which opened at 8 a.m. MT, will determine whether workers authorize a strike if contract negotiations fail to produce a new agreement.
Vote details and timeline
The balloting process is scheduled to run until July 15, with results expected later that day. The union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), represents about 1,800 flight attendants at WestJet. If the strike mandate is approved, the union could call a strike with 72 hours' notice.
CUPE has also announced a day of action planned for July 16 at Calgary International Airport, should no deal be reached by then. The action is intended to apply pressure on WestJet management to address key issues, including wages, scheduling, and working conditions.
Contract negotiations and key issues
Negotiations for a new collective agreement have been ongoing since January. The previous contract expired in March. The union says the main sticking points include pay increases to keep pace with inflation, improved scheduling flexibility, and better rest periods between flights.
“We have been bargaining in good faith, but WestJet has not moved enough on the issues that matter most to our members,” said a CUPE spokesperson. “Flight attendants are essential to the airline’s operations, and they deserve a fair contract.”
WestJet expressed disappointment that the union has moved to a strike vote, stating that the airline remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement. “We continue to bargain in good faith and hope to avoid any disruption to our guests,” a WestJet representative said.
Potential impact on travelers
If a strike occurs, it could disrupt flights for thousands of passengers during the peak summer travel season. WestJet operates flights across Canada and to international destinations including the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The airline has not yet announced any contingency plans for a potential strike.
The last major strike by WestJet flight attendants was in 2018, which lasted two days before a deal was reached. That strike affected about 12,000 passengers and resulted in 40 flight cancellations.
Passengers are advised to monitor WestJet’s website and social media channels for updates on the situation.
