WestJet, the second-largest airline in Canada, is making preparations to scale back operations in anticipation of a potential strike or lockout by its flight attendants.
The airline and the union are in ongoing negotiations, and although they have agreed on a plan to gradually reduce operations in case talks fail, this does not necessarily indicate an imminent labor dispute.
According to a note from WestJet’s vice-president of inflight operations, Robert Antoniuk, the agreed-upon plan is a precautionary measure and not a signal of escalating tensions.
The union, represented by CUPE, has emphasized their desire for a fair deal without resorting to a strike.
Federal mediators are actively involved in the negotiations, with Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressing optimism about the progress of the talks towards a mutually acceptable agreement.
John Gradek, an aviation management expert, highlighted the necessity for airlines like WestJet to have contingency plans in place to manage potential disruptions in the event of a labor dispute.
While no flight cancellations have been announced yet, WestJet is offering to waive change fees for passengers traveling during a specified period, as nearly all eligible flight attendants have voted in favor of a strike.
One key point of contention in the negotiations is the issue of flight attendants feeling they are not adequately compensated for all hours worked, particularly those considered as unpaid work.
WestJet’s current pay system for flight attendants is based on credit hours, which the union argues do not fully account for all duties performed during flights.
The airline maintains that flight attendants are compensated for all hours worked under the existing contract and that the credit hour wage compensates for additional duties beyond standard flight hours.
The dispute over unpaid work has been a significant issue for the union, drawing parallels to previous labor actions in the aviation industry, such as the Air Canada flight attendant strike in 2025.
WestJet has faced labor disputes in the past, notably in 2024 when unionized airline mechanics went on strike, impacting travel plans for many passengers.