What’s driving WestJet strike threat? Union says ‘unpaid work’ is key issue
WestJet flight attendants are threatening a strike starting August 2 over the issue of unpaid work. The union claims members are effectively working 35 hours per month without compensation.
Why it matters
A strike during a major travel weekend could cause significant disruption to Canadian air travel and highlights broader labor disputes regarding compensation in the aviation industry.
With WestJet flight attendants currently set to begin striking as early as Aug. 2, the union says there’s a core issue members want resolved: unpaid work.
Close to 4,400 union members represented by CUPE Local 8125 voted 99.4 per cent in favour of a strike on July 15, effectively grounding Canada’s second-largest airline in the middle of the August long weekend, a major travel period between Aug. 1 and the statutory holiday on Aug. 3.
WestJet has since given passengers with flights booked between July 30 and Aug. 4 t he ability to make a one-time change or cancellation to their bookings with no fee.
John Gradek, faculty lecturer in supply networks and aviation management at McGill University, said that WestJet’s amendment is meant to reassure passengers that business will continue as usual.
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