Airline Begins Reducing Operations Before Sunday Deadline as Thousands of Travellers Face Uncertainty
Summary
WestJet has cancelled 81 scheduled flights ahead of a possible strike by its flight attendants, as labour negotiations continue before a Sunday strike deadline. The airline said the cancellations are part of an organized effort to reduce its flight network and prevent passengers and crew from becoming stranded if a work stoppage begins. The disruption comes during one of Canada’s busiest summer travel weekends, leaving thousands of travellers uncertain about their plans.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice earlier this week. WestJet responded by issuing a lockout notice on the same timeline, although both sides remain engaged in negotiations.
Airline Begins Scaling Back Operations
WestJet confirmed that the 81 cancelled flights are intended to minimize disruption if negotiations fail before the strike deadline. The airline said reducing its schedule now would help avoid aircraft and crews becoming stranded across its network should flight attendants begin strike action.
Passengers affected by cancellations are being contacted directly and advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. The airline also said additional cancellations could occur if an agreement is not reached.
Labour Dispute Centers on Pay
The dispute primarily revolves around compensation for work performed before and after flights. The union argues that flight attendants should be paid from check-in until the completion of their duties, rather than only while the aircraft is in motion.
In addition to improved pay, CUPE is seeking broader compensation increases and better working conditions for cabin crew. WestJet maintains that its current “credit hour” system already compensates employees for ground duties and says it remains committed to reaching a fair agreement through negotiations.
Thousands of Travellers Affected
The cancellations come during the August long weekend, traditionally one of Canada’s busiest travel periods. WestJet normally operates more than 600 flights daily, serving approximately 75,000 passengers.
Travellers at airports across the country have expressed concern about possible further disruptions, with many closely monitoring updates as the Sunday deadline approaches. While mainline WestJet services may be affected, the airline has confirmed that WestJet Encore regional flights and partner-operated codeshare services are expected to continue operating normally.
Negotiations Continue
Despite the strike notice and flight cancellations, both WestJet and CUPE say negotiations remain active with the assistance of a federal mediator. Company officials have expressed optimism that an agreement can still be reached before the work stoppage begins.
Union representatives have also acknowledged progress in recent talks but say several key issues remain unresolved. Both sides continue bargaining in an effort to avoid a strike and further disruption to travellers.
Conclusion
WestJet’s decision to cancel 81 flights ahead of the Sunday strike deadline marks the beginning of what could become a major disruption to air travel across Canada if negotiations fail. With thousands of passengers affected and more cancellations possible, both the airline and the flight attendants’ union remain under pressure to reach a last-minute agreement. As bargaining continues, travellers are being urged to monitor their flight status and prepare for potential changes to their travel plans.