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WestJet flight attendants strike at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on Sunday.ETHAN CAIRNS/The Canadian Press
WestJet and the union representing about 4,400 flight attendants reached a tentative contract agreement early Monday morning, ending a disruption to the airline’s operations that left many travellers in limbo.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees said in a news release that the tentative agreement will be presented to its members for a ratification vote. In the meantime, both the union’s strike notice and the company’s lockout notice were being withdrawn and flight attendants would return to work.
“This tentative agreement represents meaningful progress,” said Alia Hussain, president of CUPE local 8125, in the release. “It evolves the flight credit system by recognizing more of the work cabin crew are required to perform and with general increases to compensation for that work.”
Flight attendants walked off the job early Sunday morning, after failing to reach a new contract with the airline. WestJet then halted all flights on a busy summer travel weekend.
Contract talks had been ongoing in Calgary since January, with WestJet and the CUPE WestJet Component at odds over wage increases and the cabin crew’s claim of unpaid ground work.
There was no word Monday on when the airline would be able to resume its normal operations and schedule, but WestJet said in a separate news release that it would share details as they became available.
“We know this disruption has been frustrating for our guests and WestJetters and we’re sorry for that,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, the company’s chief executive officer, in the release. “Our teams are working hard to restore service and get our guests on their way to their destinations as quickly as possible and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we get back to normal.”
The job action came less than a year after the same issue sparked a work stoppage by 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada.