WestJet flight attendants on Sunday went on strike after their union and the carrier did not come to a contract agreement, the organization and WestJet announced.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125 represents more than 4,700 members of WestJet and WestJet Encore cabin crew, according to the union.
The WestJet mainline bargaining committee issued a Notice of Dispute on April 27, and conciliation began on May 13 and concluded on July 11, according to CUPE Local 8125, then the parties entered into a federally mandated cooling-off period and mediation process. CUPE Local 8125 on July 30 issued a 72-hour strike notice, followed by WestJet issuing a 72-hour lockout notice.
WestJet confirmed that the work stoppage prevented the carrier from operating its scheduled Boeing 737 and 787 flights. The carrier on Sunday canceled all of its 496 scheduled flights, according to FlightAware. As of 8:45 p.m. Eastern time Sunday, the carrier already had canceled 118 Monday flights, representing 23 percent of its schedule for the day. On Friday, WestJet also had canceled 115 flights, about 23 percent of its schedule, as it prepared for the strike action.
"We're disappointed to be here," WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement. "Our focus remains on staying available for the union to reach an agreement. We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn't accepted."
The union's website indicates that WestJet cabin personnel have worked without a valid collective agreement for nearly 214 days.
All affected WestJet guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable, according to the carrier. Those who booked directly with WestJet will receive updates via email. Those who booked through a third party or travel agent platform should reach out to them directly, according to WestJet.