WestJet flight attendants' union issues 72-hour strike notice

A WestJet flight attendant strike at the peak of travel and tourist season is one step closer after the union representing the 4,400 workers issued its 72-hour strike notice early Thursday morning.

Canadian Union of Public Employees 8125 said in a news release that the two sides are “still too far apart on some key issues.”

“We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal,” said Alia Hussain, the local’s president.

“There’s still time to avoid a strike. We will continue to bargain around the clock until this is resolved.”

The union’s key issue is the unpaid duties performed by flight attendants before aircraft take off, which the union has said amount to 35 hours per month.

But WestJet has explained that cabin crew salaries are based on a model called credit hours, which pays a higher rate for the duration of the flight to account for preparation before departure. As a result, staff are only paid for when they’re flying.

In response to the strike notice, the airline served its own 72-hour lockout notice, and said it too remains committed to resolving the labour impasse.

“We greatly value the work and contributions of our cabin crew, and it is our responsibility to ensure the integrity of our network and to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, crew and aircraft,” WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement.

The notices won’t affect ongoing airline operations or indicate that a strike will begin, but if no agreement is reached, the flight attendants will be in a legal position for labour action as of Sunday at 12:01 a.m.

Last week, WestJet began allowing passengers scheduled to travel between July 30 and Aug. 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation at no cost.

The policy also applies to flights booked through WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations and Vacances WestJet Québec, although Sunwing notes that if the new booking costs more, the difference must be paid. For a lower price, the difference will be refunded in a travel voucher.

More to come.

• WestJet flight attendants could walk off the job as early as Sunday. Here's what to know
• Are WestJet flight attendants going on strike? What we know as union vote opens

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