WestJet flight attendants back strike authorization. Here's how it could impact Civic Holiday weekend travel

A 21-day cooling-off period means the earliest flight attendants could walk off the job is Sunday, Aug. 2, one day before the Aug. 3 Civic Holiday Monday.

Air travellers planning a Civic Holiday long weekend trip could be forced to make alternate arrangements due to a potential strike by WestJet flight attendants. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 8125 , which represents 4,400 cabin personnel with WestJet, announced 99.4 per cent of its members have voted in favour of strike authorization, with a voter turnout of 97.3 per cent. A 21-day cooling-off period means the earliest flight attendants could walk off the job is Sunday, Aug. 2 — one day before the Aug. 3 Civic Holiday Monday.

In April, CUPE warned negotiations with the airline had reached an impasse, adding the dispute was over a lack of progress to address concerns over “unpaid” ground work. In a July 15 statement, CUPE said it still hopes to reach a negotiated settlement with the airline to minimize impact on travellers. But due to stalled negotiations with the airline, CUPE said the strike authorization became necessary to advance its position at the bargaining table.

In a statement, CUPE 8125 president Alia Hussain said union members are “united and determined.” “(Members) voted to strike because they stand behind the bargaining priorities that they have identified, especially pay for all hours of work performed. WestJet should do the right thing and prevent travel disruptions for their passengers,” Hussain said. Flight attendants are primarily seeking compensation for ground time.

CUPE has stated flight attendants are not paid while aircraft are grounded, but are still expected to complete boarding, safety checks and deplaning activities during those times. In an online explainer , WestJet said its cabin crew members are paid using a credit hour system, which the airline said is the standard pay model for cabin crew across North America. “Block hours start when the aircraft leaves the gate and end when it arrives at the gate,” the airline noted.

In a statement responding to the union's strike authorization vote, WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement with the union. “A strike authorization vote is a common step by unions in context of the overall labour negotiation process and does not mean a strike will occur,” von Hoensbroech said.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to reach a meaningful agreement with CUPE that recognizes the contribution and professionalism of our cabin crew members and keeps WestJet competitive and sustainable.” In an earlier statement , the union said flight attendants are responsible for passenger safety from the moment they report for duty, yet significant portions of their work day are not fully compensated under the current system. CUPE said on average, flight attendants work 35 unpaid hours every month, including times when aircraft are on the ground. It was a similar statement heard from CUPE’s Air Canada flight attendants last summer, as they held a campaign called “ Unpaid Work Won’t Fly .”

In that case, a tentative deal was reached where flight attendants would receive 50 to 70 per cent of their regular wages for one hour of work done before takeoff. The wage negotiations were sent to mediation. Claire Newell, founder and president of Travel Best Bets, told Global News travellers shouldn’t pre-emptively change flights before the airline officially cancels flights or issues an advisory.

“Don’t change anything. It will cost you if you make the changes now — unless you have a fully refundable ticket, which most people don’t,” Newell said. In the event of a strike, travellers should wait to be contacted by the airline with rebooking or refund options.

Air passengers are also encouraged to leverage travel insurance, if they are concerned about trip interruption. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request.

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