Flight attendants at Canada's WestJet go on strike in dispute over pay - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
WestJet flight attendants have launched a strike over a pay dispute, leading to the cancellation of nearly 500 flights. The union and airline remain at odds regarding compensation for ground duties and overall wage increases.
Why it matters
The strike has disrupted travel for 250,000 passengers, highlighting labor tensions in the aviation industry.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Flight attendants with WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, went on strike Sunday in a dispute over pay.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents the 4,400 cabin crew at the airline, announced the strike on its Facebook page. WestJet confirmed the strike and canceled 495 flights Sunday, according to FlightAware, snarling travel plans in Canada in the middle of a three-day weekend. The airline said Sunday that the strike led to travel being canceled for 250,000 travelers.
A key issue in the dispute is how flight attendants should be paid for duties performed while still on the ground. The union said some of that work is unpaid, while the company said its staff was indeed compensated, citing pay through a “credit hour” system rather than an hourly rate.
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