WestJet flight attendants have overwhelmingly authorized a strike that could see thousands of workers walk off the job in fewer than three weeks (Aug. 2) if they are unable to reach a new deal on contract demands.
In an update to its members, the union representing some 4,400 cabin crew at the airline says they voted 99% in favour of the strike mandate with over 97% of members have turned out for the vote.
The mandate does not spark immediate job action, but grants union officials the authority to call a strike after a cooling-off period. A potential strike could occur as soon as Sunday, Aug. 2.
In an earlier update to members, the Canadian Union of Public Employees said it has made bargaining progress in some areas, but that its push for better compensation and working conditions continues.
The two sides have spent months at the bargaining table and CUPE 8125 President Alia Hussain, called on WestJet to return to bargaining with a new focus.
“The members of CUPE 8125 are united and determined. They voted to strike because they stand behind the bargaining priorities that they have identified, especially pay for all hours of work performed. WestJet should do the right thing and prevent travel disruptions for their passengers.”
At a rally in Calgary on Tuesday, Hussain said “Our primary concerns are around wages, how our wages trigger and our working conditions. “We’re here to tell the company that the archaic and exploitative flight credit system that the company currently uses does not compensate us appropriately.”
Ground-duty pay remains a major point of contention at WestJet, after Air Canada flight attendants secured compensation for some ground work at up to 70% of their hourly rate earlier this year.
WestJet says it recognizes the crucial role cabin crew play on board.
On its website, the carrier lays out the “credit hour” system that remains the standard pay model for flight attendants across North America.
“Rather than paying a lower hourly wage for every hour on duty, the credit hour system combines flight time, ground duties, delays and other required work into a single, higher rate of pay. That rate is then ‘credited’ across the full duty day,” the company states.
The airline views 80 credit hours a month as full-time work. The pay rate ranges between $28.45 and $53.61 per credit hour, amounting to between $2,304 and $4,289 per month, according to WestJet.
On Tuesday, about 250 WestJet flight attendants stood back-to-back in front of the airline’s Calgary headquarters to send a message to management over those wages.
There were no smiles or comments from the attendants during the day of action across the country, just signs including messages of “Ready to Strike,” “Unpaid work won’t fly” and “Frustrated with WestJet? So are we.”
Last August, 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job over the issue of unpaid work. The dispute was eventually settled after the federal government stepped in and forced the two sides into binding arbitration.
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech pointed out that strike authorization is a typical step during negotiations “and does not mean a strike will occur.”
“We are steadfast in our commitment to reach a meaningful agreement with CUPE that recognizes the contribution and professionalism of our cabin crew members and keeps WestJet competitive and sustainable,” he said in a statement.
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