Key facts
- Agreement
- Tentative deal reached Monday to end strike
- Union
- CUPE Local 8125
- Members
- 4,400 flight attendants
- Cancellations
- Over 80 WestJet flights at Calgary airport Saturday and Sunday
- Recovery time
- Close to a week to clear backlog
- Special Olympics
- Games Aug. 11-15 in Medicine Hat, 650 athletes and staff
Background
WestJet and the union representing its flight attendants reached a tentative agreement Monday to end the strike that began a day earlier. The strike had caused significant disruption at Calgary International Airport, with more than 80 WestJet flights in and out of the airport cancelled Saturday and Sunday, according to a WestJet employee.
The tentative agreement, if ratified, will recognize extra duties cabin crew are required to perform during their jobs and increase pay for that work. The deal was achieved through collective bargaining, according to CUPE Local 8125 president Alia Hussain.
Current situation
With the strike over, flight attendants will return to work. As of Monday morning, most WestJet flights out of Calgary remained cancelled. The tentative agreement will now be presented to the union's 4,400 members for review and a ratification vote. Details of the agreement will be shared directly with members before the vote.
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline is working to restore service and get guests to their destinations as quickly as possible. A WestJet employee at the airport said it would take the airline close to a week to clear its backlog of cancelled flights and resume regular operations.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Cancelled flights (Sat-Sun) | Over 80 |
| Union members | 4,400 |
| Recovery time estimate | Close to a week |
| Special Olympics athletes and staff | 650 |
Impacts
Passengers have been affected by the cancellations. Craig Harle, travelling to Reykjavík, Iceland, worried about losing money on accommodation and car rentals booked months in advance. Murtaza Hassan's uncles and cousins, who travelled on Sunday, had their tickets rebooked six days later, causing them to miss a week of work.
The Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, scheduled for Aug. 11-15 in Medicine Hat, is also impacted. Games chair Natalie Sauer said the organization had begun making alternate plans on Sunday when cancellations appeared likely. The Games will host 650 athletes and staff from across Canada, requiring coordination of 30 charter buses and travel arrangements.
Air passenger advocate Gabor Lukacs said the fate of customers depends on when flight attendants return to work. He said it would be reasonable to expect striking employees to begin working within 24 hours. Any other delay could be considered a labour management issue, making WestJet responsible for financial compensation and rebooking passengers on competitor airlines within 48 hours of their original flight.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
The tentative agreement must be ratified by the union's 4,400 members. If ratified, the agreement will recognize extra duties and increase pay for that work. The timeline for the ratification vote remains unclear, and it is possible that flight attendants may remain on strike while the vote takes place, according to Lukacs.
WestJet said it will share further details on the return to operations as they become available. If the ratification vote is quick and flight attendants return within 24 hours, service may recover faster. However, if there are delays, the airline could face additional compensation obligations and a longer recovery period.
The Special Olympics Games chair said she is cautiously optimistic but still watching how things may change. If flight schedules stabilize, the organization can proceed with its travel plans; otherwise, it may need to adjust bus schedules and arrival times.
Source: edmontonjournal.com
