WestJet flight attendants issue formal notice of dispute after failed talks - BERITAJA

WestJet formation attendants person revenge a announcement of conflict pinch the hose pursuing much than 7 months of negotiations successful a process that — if unresolved — could yet lead to a onslaught aliases lockout.

The move comes little than 2 years after WestJet mechanics went connected strike aft labour talks failed, starring to hundreds of formation cancellations earlier the national and employer reached a deal.

On Monday, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125 announced that it had issued a general announcement of conflict aft failing to scope a caller corporate statement since bargaining began successful September 2025.

“Flight attendants are performing progressively demanding activity successful a safety-sensitive environment, and we are immoderate of the lowest paid successful Canada,” Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, said in a property release.

“The strategy that governs our compensation was built for a different time, and it nary longer reflects the worth of activity being done today.

“Flight attendants person remained diligent and master passim this process, but delays cannot continue.”

The union represents about 4,400 WestJet compartment personnel.

The property merchandise states that location is simply a “growing gap” betwixt “the activity formation attendants are required to execute and the outdated strategy that determines really that activity is compensated.”

“Flight attendants are responsible for rider information from the infinitesimal they study for duty, yet important portions of that clip are not afloat compensated nether the existent system. On average, formation attendants activity 35 hours each period unpaid,” the national said.

The national is besides seeking “improvements to scheduling and basal moving conditions that support a safe and sustainable operation.”

Hussain besides stated successful the property merchandise that “we are looking for meaningful advancement astatine the array connected issues that impact our members and their expertise to supply reliable work for our guests.”

WestJet stated to BERITAJA that the hose “has been actively engaged successful the bargaining process pinch CUPE” since September 2025.

“While we were amazed by the timing fixed the continuing advancement astatine the table, conciliation is simply a communal measurement successful the labour speech process.”

The hose besides added that “WestJet recognizes and values the captious domiciled compartment unit play successful ensuring the safety, comfort, and attraction of our guests connected each formation and remains committed to a meaningful corporate statement that is besides sustainable for WestJet’s future.”

The Canadian Transportation Agency besides stated to BERITAJA that it will “closely show the business and supply further advice, if needed.”

BERITAJA besides contacted Transport Canada for comment.

Last week, WestJet trim six per cent of its formation capacity arsenic the warfare successful Iran causes the value of aviation fuel to soar.

“As substance prices proceed to rise, WestJet has adjusted immoderate flying to align pinch request and champion negociate associated substance costs,” the hose said successful a news release.

WestJet said it hasn’t eliminated immoderate routes truthful far, but it is “evaluating its summertime schedule” pinch an oculus to imaginable cuts.