WestJet flight attendants issue 72-hour strike notice

The union representing 4,400 flight attendants at WestJet has issued a 72-hour strike notice, putting them in a potential strike position as early as Sunday.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says the airline then issued a 72-hour lockout notice.

While giving notice of a strike does not mean flight attendants will hit the picket line, a strike could begin as soon as Sunday if the two sides don’t reach a deal.

“The decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union, was not one that was made lightly. We sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of WestJet.

“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. Our commitment remains at the bargaining table, where we will continue to work around the clock to come to an agreement that provides value and meaningful improvements for our cabin crew and is sustainable for our company.”

“One of the main sticking points in the negotiation is pay for the time that flight attendants work before take-off,” said Colin Mang, an economics professor at McMaster University. “Over the past five years, this has now become standard in the North American airline industry, with a number of other airlines including Delta, American, United, and Air Canada instituting boarding pay.”

WATCH MORE: What to know about the potential WestJet strike, how it may affect you

That boarding pay was a major win for Air Canada’s flight attendants, who went on strike last summer.

Without that boarding pay, flight attendants are not paid for any time worked before the flight takes off. WestJet says cabin crew are compensated through a “credit hour” system, rather than an hourly rate.

The airline, for its part, responded to the strike notice with a 72-hour lockout notice, with experts warning job action could cost the company millions.

“It’ll be significant,” said John Gradek, faculty lecturer of aviation management at McGill University. “You’re talking about 75,000 passengers a day that would be affected. They operate over 600 flights a day.”

However, in the coming days, WestJet will take all necessary actions to actively manage potential impacts to guests.

This includes planning to operate on a reduced schedule as well as managing changes and cancellations, to ensure the ability to communicate with guests in advance of their flight.

READ MORE: WestJet flight attendants vote to authorize strike as early as Aug. 2

WestJet is providing added flexibility by allowing guests travelling between Thursday and Tuesday to make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost.

While WestJet says all of its flights are running for now, experts warn the airline will likely start pre-emptively canceling trips as early as Friday. But passenger rights experts warn customers not to accept WestJet’s current offer to rebook your flight or cancel it.

“Do not, I repeat, do not pre-emptively cancel your flight,” said Gradek.

They warn that cancelling your own flights absolves airlines of their responsibility to fully compensate you.

“You are owed cash compensation, you are owed meals and accommodation, and most importantly, WestJet has to rebook you on its next available flight of its own or partner airlines,” said Gábor Lukács, the president and founder of the non-profit organization Air Passenger rights. “And if it’s not possible to depart within nine hours of the original departure time, then they have to buy you a ticket on a competitor.”

The WestJet flights out of and into Hamilton’s International Airport Friday are so far listed as “on time.”

“We are actively working toward a resolution within 72 hours that prevents a work stoppage from occurring on August 2 at 00:01 MT,” WestJet said in a travel advisory on their website.

READ MORE: WestJet flight attendants push for better wages in strike vote