WestJet cancels 81 flights ahead of possible flight attendant strike
WestJet has begun cancelling flights in anticipation of a potential strike or lockout involving 4,400 flight attendants. The airline is reducing its schedule to prevent aircraft from being stranded if negotiations fail to produce a new contract.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights growing labor tensions in the aviation industry regarding compensation for ground-based work duties.
WestJet has begun cancelling flights ahead of a possible strike or lockout affecting flight attendants, saying it is reducing its schedule to avoid widespread disruptions if a work stoppage begins this weekend.
The airline has started an “organized take-down” of its network and would begin issuing flight cancellations to customers, WestJet announced in a news release Friday evening.
“To ensure the integrity of WestJet’s network, and to minimize the risk of stranding guests and aircraft, the airline has started to issue cancellations and reduce flying,” the airline said.
As of 11 a.m. MT, WestJet said it had cancelled 86 flights scheduled for Saturday.
The move comes after the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents about 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice. WestJet responded with a 72-hour lockout notice.
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