WestJet flight attendants issue 72-Hour strike notice as labour dispute escalates

Labour tensions at WestJet have intensified after the union representing approximately 4,400 flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice, raising the possibility of job action as early as Sunday.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees> (CUPE) says WestJet has responded by issuing a 72-hour lockout notice, escalating the ongoing contract dispute.

Although the strike notice does not guarantee that flight attendants will walk off the job, negotiations between the two sides are continuing in an effort to reach a new collective agreement before the deadline.

To help minimize disruption for travellers, WestJet is allowing passengers with flights scheduled between July 30 and August 4 to make a one-time flight change or cancel their booking without paying a fee.

The union says one of the key issues in negotiations is compensation for work performed on the ground, arguing that flight attendants are not paid for duties carried out before takeoff and after landing.

WestJet, however, maintains that all duties are compensated through its existing "credit hour" pay system rather than a traditional hourly wage, and says the current model fairly covers employees' work.

The airline operates more than 600 flights each day, transporting over 70,000 passengers on some days. A work stoppage could significantly impact travel plans during the busy summer holiday season if an agreement is not reached before the strike deadline.