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WestJet is beginning to park its 737 aircraft across its network as the clock ticks closer to a possible strike by the airline’s flight attendants.
The airline says this measure will help prevent travellers and planes from being stranded abroad.
“This necessary step allows the airline to maintain operational control and protect the integrity of the broader network,” WestJet said in an update on its website.
The airline says passengers should check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport.
Despite the wind down, the company said it was still bargaining with flight attendants in order to try and reach a negotiated deal.
WestJet’s flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice Thursday, which the airline responded to with a 72-hour lockout notice of their own. That means some 4,287 flight attendants could be off the job as soon as Sunday at 12:01 a.m. MT — over the August long weekend, a busy time for domestic travel.
That strike notice doesn’t commit flight attendants to taking job action, but has proved worrisome for passengers who are left in limbo, unsure whether or not their flights will take off this weekend.
The airline says WestJet Encore flights and codeshare flights operated by airline partners remain unaffected.
WATCH | WestJet strike could cost this traveller up to $20K:
WestJet strike could cost this traveller up to $20K | Hanomansing Tonight
WestJet flight attendants have issued a 72-hour strike notice, raising the possibility of a walkout during the busy summer travel season. Bonnie Thompson says a cancelled trip could leave her out as much as $20,000 in prepaid expenses.
In two emails obtained by CBC News, WestJet said it had put forward what it believes is the best agreement it could responsibly offer.
That includes what the company claims is a union proposal “for compensation before and after flights through duty premium payments,” which would be included in what WestJet describes as a cumulative wage increase of about 36 per cent over four years.
The company also says it offered scheduling improvements and better provisions for things like travel and hotels while flight attendants are away from home, according to one of the internal WestJet emails viewed by CBC News.
“The offer would have represented a significant step forward not only for WestJet Cabin Crew, but for the Canadian airline industry as a whole,” one of the emails reads in part.
CBC News reached out to CUPE Local 8125, also known as the WestJet Component, for comment.
Union hopeful strike can be avoided
In response to the emails, CUPE WestJet Component President Alia Hussain said what WestJet has shared is a “small part of a very large contract.”
“We aren’t just bargaining a few things, we are seeking a comprehensive contract that reflects the priorities of our members,” Hussain said in an email.
Hussain added that while some progress has been made toward reaching a deal, there are issues remaining that “need to be resolved at the table.”
“We are hopeful that we can still avoid a strike and remain committed to resolving this there.”
WestJet declined an interview with CBC News, saying its leaders are focused on the negotiations.
A key issue at the heart of negotiations has been ground pay.
Flight attendants say an average of 35 hours per month go unpaid under WestJet’s current “credit hour” system. That pay structure compensates flight attendants for ground duties, delays and other required work by paying them a set amount of credit hours per flight, which can change depending on the trip.
WestJet says the credit system is standard in the industry, and it argues flight attendants are paid at a higher rate under this pay structure in order to compensate for additional duties during what flight attendants consider unpaid time.
WATCH | WestJet passengers scramble after flight attendants give strike notice:
WestJet passengers scramble after flight attendants give strike notice
WestJet passengers are scrambling to make new arrangements after thousands of flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice, to which the airline responded with a lockout notice. Flight attendants could be off the job by Sunday if no new deal is reached.
Still, the company’s CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech has said WestJet is aware that many employees are unhappy with the current pay system, and says they are willing to make changes as long as they are financially feasible for the company.
WestJet has said that passengers who booked directly with the airline will be notified of any changes, and those who booked through a third party like a travel agent should make changes through that agency directly.
Passengers with flights booked between now and Aug. 4 are still able to cancel or change their flights, though doing so might only net them a travel credit rather than their money back directly.