WestJet strike disrupts peak holiday travel

Flight attendants at WestJet, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, have gone on strike in a dispute over pay. The union represents about 4,400 cabin crew members who are at the center of the airline’s latest labor disruption.

The industrial action comes during one of Canada’s busiest summer travel weekends, creating widespread disruption for travelers on domestic and international routes. WestJet is one of the country’s largest airlines and plays a significant role in the national air travel network.

The labor dispute focuses on how flight attendants are paid for duties performed while the aircraft is on the ground. The union argues that tasks such as boarding, safety checks and time spent during ground delays are not fully compensated under the current arrangements.

WestJet maintains that cabin crew are paid under a "credit hour" system, which it says covers their work. The two sides remain in negotiations over how this pay structure should apply to ground-based duties, even as the strike continues.

The strike has forced WestJet to cancel a large number of flights across its network. Flight tracking data showed about 495 cancellations on Sunday, while the airline reported about 600 cancellations since Friday, highlighting the scale of the disruption.

WestJet said it could not operate any of its scheduled flights using Boeing (BA) 737 or 787 aircraft, which form the backbone of its mainline fleet. This has affected popular domestic routes as well as services to destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Despite the mainline shutdown, some operations remain in place. WestJet Encore flights, which use Q400 aircraft, are continuing to operate. Codeshare flights with partner airlines are also unaffected by the strike.

This partial continuation of service provides some options for travelers but does not offset the broad impact of the canceled mainline flights. Picket lines formed at major airports, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, as the strike got under way.

WestJet has stated that passengers affected by cancellations will be refunded or reaccommodated, depending on their specific circumstances. The airline has acknowledged that the disruption affects a large number of travelers during a peak period.

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu described the strike as a "disappointing development" and has been meeting with both parties. As of Sunday, the federal government had not taken steps to order an end to the work stoppage, leaving the dispute to be resolved at the bargaining table.