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A WestJet plane takes off as WestJet flight attendants hold a “Day of Action” while union members vote on a possible strike in Calgary, on July 14.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Some travellers headed into the long weekend on edge, as WestJet began its first round of cancellations ahead of a possible strike by flight attendants.
The airline announced early Saturday morning that 81 of the day’s scheduled flights were scrubbed. By Saturday evening, a total of 276 flights have been cancelled network-wide.
The company said the move was meant to prevent crew and passengers from getting stranded, and travellers should check their flight status before leaving for the airport. WestJet said the route with the highest number of cancellations was Toronto to Vancouver, with four.
The bulk of the cancelled flights were for Saturday, with more coming on Sunday and Monday.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement that she is in Calgary with WestJet and the union as they continue mediation, adding the government has always maintained “the best deals are reached at the bargaining table.”
“With federal mediators supporting negotiations since May, the parties can and should reach a deal. Canadians are counting on it,” Hadju said.
WestJet cancels dozens of flights as strike deadline looms
Despite the cancellations and uncertainty, the WestJet check-in area at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport was bustling Saturday morning, as families pushed carts piled high with luggage and lined up at kiosks.
Alyesha Singh was anxious about making it to her 15-person family reunion in the Dominican Republic, some of whom are from the United States. She hadn’t seen some family members in years and was thrilled to get everyone in one place.
Her parents planned their trip and were keeping a close eye on cancellation updates, Singh said at the airline’s baggage drop-off station.
“We just hope everything comes a conclusion before we get back.”
Carlo de Leon, who was also heading to the Dominican Republic, crossed his fingers in an interview as he said he couldn’t wait to get there and leave his travel anxiety behind.
At least, until it’s time to come back.
His family was sporting matching blue jerseys for their journey. That idea that came from his daughter, Kaylani Chiv-de Leon, who turned 11 on Friday.
The timing of the trip worked out perfectly to celebrate her birthday, de Leon said, and he said he was “pretty optimistic” after making it to the airport without their flight getting cancelled.
If a deal is not reached by Sunday morning, either side could begin a work stoppage that would cancel hundreds of flights during a long weekend for much of the country.
Explainer: Why and when WestJet flight attendants could strike, and how it may affect you
The union triggered a 72-hour strike notice that ends just after midnight Sunday in Calgary, where WestJet is headquartered, and the airline responded with a lockout notice on the same timeline.
WestJet said it is continuing to bargain with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 4,400 flight attendants, in the hope of reaching an agreement on a new contract.
The airline said in an update on its website Saturday that the union rejected its proposal “for a solution for additional compensation before and after flights, representing a double-digit increase in compensation.”
Pay for work done on the ground remains a key stumbling block in the talks, less than a year after the same issue sparked a work stoppage by Air Canada flight attendants.
The union has characterized certain ground duties as unpaid, but WestJet has said its current “credit hour” system combines flight time, ground duties, delays, and other labour into a “single, higher rate of pay” that is then credited across the workday.
WestJet said in its statement that its proposal also included “meaningful wage increases throughout the life of the agreement” and offered “significant scheduling and quality-of-life improvements.”
CUPE, in a response, said the update from WestJet sounded like an e-mail the airline sent to its employees on Friday.
Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, said progress has been made in talks, but there were issues that still needed to be resolved at the table.
“What WestJet has shared in their message 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 response to the airline’s email to workers.