WestJet cabin crew represented by CUPE have walked off the job after negotiations failed, triggering a work stoppage that has forced the Canadian carrier to cancel hundreds of flights. The disruption is centred on the airline’s mainline operation, while WestJet Encore services have continued in some updates, and affected passengers are to be refunded or reaccommodated.
WestJet had already started cancelling flights across its network before the strike began in an effort to avoid leaving passengers and aircraft out of position. The carrier reported 81 cancellations on 1 August, while later updates put the total at more than 300 flights by early Sunday and about 600 flights since Friday as the dispute escalated.
The labour dispute centres on pay and scheduling, including union demands for compensation for time worked on the ground before takeoff. WestJet had offered what it described as a transformational package to avert the strike and warned that up to 250,000 travellers could lose long-weekend trips if the stoppage went ahead. The airline remained engaged in bargaining as the industrial action took effect.