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WestJet flight attendants strike, causing flight cancellations

WestJet flight attendants went on strike Sunday after their union and the airline failed to reach a new contract, forcing the carrier to cancel at least 86 flights on one of the year's busiest travel weekends. The dispute centres on unpaid ground work, and federal mediators remain available as thousands of passengers face disruptions.

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WestJet flight attendants strike, causing flight cancellations

WestJet flight attendants strike, causing flight cancellations

The short answer

WestJet flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. MT Sunday after negotiations broke down. The union, which represents about 4,400 attendants, had issued a 72-hour strike notice; WestJet responded with a lockout notice. The core issue is pay for ground duties like boarding passengers, completing safety checks, and managing delays—work attendants say they are not compensated for because they are paid only for time in the air. WestJet began cancelling flights Friday evening, parking aircraft to avoid stranding planes and passengers. By Saturday morning, 86 flights had been cancelled, and more cancellations are expected as the strike continues. The federal labour minister called the strike 'disappointing' and urged both sides back to the bargaining table, saying top mediators are working around the clock. No new talks have been announced.

Why it's trending

The strike began at 12:01 a.m. MT on Sunday, immediately grounding flights and triggering cancellations during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Thousands of passengers are now stranded or scrambling to rebook, making the labour dispute a top consumer and travel story.

WestJet flight attendants are officially on strike as of Sunday after the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) failed to reach a deal for a new contract, according to CBC News. The job action has already forced WestJet to cancel at least 86 flights, with the airline warning passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Global News and CBC both confirm that CUPE, representing about 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice last Thursday, and WestJet responded with a 72-hour lockout notice. The dispute centres on compensation for ground work—boarding passengers, completing safety checks, and managing delays. Labour expert Barry Eidlin explained that flight attendants are generally paid only while the aircraft is in the air, even though delays have become increasingly common. WestJet said its latest offer was 'industry-leading' and addressed the union's key priorities, but no agreement was reached.

WestJet began an 'organized take-down' of its network Friday evening, issuing cancellations and reducing flying to minimize the risk of stranding guests and aircraft. As of 11 a.m. MT Saturday, 86 flights scheduled for that day had been cancelled. McGill aviation management expert John Gradek called the move prudent asset management, noting the airline needed to position aircraft where they could be safely parked and maintained if a strike began.

The strike is expected to cause a cascade of cancellations, hitting travellers on one of the year's busiest weekends. Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu called the strike a 'disappointing development' and said both parties 'can and should come to an agreement at the bargaining table.' She added that top mediators are available around the clock. With no deal in sight, passengers should expect further disruptions and check their flight status regularly.

Timeline

  1. CUPE issues strike notice; WestJet responds with lockout notice

    The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing about 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice. WestJet responded with a 72-hour lockout notice of its own. (Global News, CBC)

  2. WestJet announces 'organized take-down' and begins cancellations

    WestJet said it started to issue cancellations and reduce flying to minimize the risk of stranding guests and aircraft. (Global News)

  3. 86 flights cancelled

    As of 11 a.m. MT, WestJet said it had cancelled 86 flights scheduled for Saturday. (Global News)

  4. Strike begins

    WestJet flight attendants walk off the job after the union and airline failed to reach a new contract, triggering likely cascading cancellations. (CBC)

  5. Labour minister calls strike 'disappointing'

    Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says she has met with both parties, urges them back to the bargaining table, and says top mediators remain available. (CBC)

Questions people ask

Why are WestJet flight attendants striking?

The dispute centres on compensation for ground work, such as boarding passengers, completing safety checks, and managing delays. Flight attendants say they are generally paid only while the aircraft is in the air, so they are not compensated for time spent on the ground. (Global News)

How many flights are cancelled?

As of Saturday morning, WestJet had cancelled 86 flights scheduled for that day. With the strike now underway, more cancellations are expected. (Global News, CBC)

What should I do if I have a WestJet flight?

WestJet advises passengers to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport. Given the strike, travellers should expect possible disruptions and rebooking delays. (CBC)

Could the strike end quickly?

The federal labour minister says top mediators are working around the clock and remain available to help both sides reach a deal. However, no new negotiations have been announced, so the strike's duration is uncertain. (CBC)

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