WestJet flight attendants issue 72-hour strike notice as labour talks continue

WestJet's union representing approximately 4,400 flight attendants has issued a 72-hour strike notice, raising the possibility of a walkout beginning Sunday if a new collective agreement is not reached. In response, the airline has served the union with a lockout notice.

According to the union, the key issues in the dispute include compensation for time spent performing ground duties and wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living. WestJet maintains that flight attendants are fully compensated under its "credit hour" pay system rather than through a traditional hourly wage model.

Negotiations between the airline and union remain ongoing. However, if an agreement is not reached before the notice period expires, WestJet has indicated it could begin gradually reducing and grounding flights as early as Friday to prepare for a potential work stoppage during the busy long weekend travel period.

To reduce disruption for travellers, WestJet has announced that passengers booked to travel between July 30 and Aug. 4 may change or cancel their flights without paying additional fees.

If a strike or lockout proceeds, more than 600 flights and approximately 70,000 passengers could be affected each day.