WestJet flight attendant picket planned at Toronto Pearson Airport as strike vote continues

WestJet flight attendants, represented by CUPE 8125, are planning an information picket at Toronto Pearson Airport this weekend.

The union officially opened a strike vote on Wednesday that will continue until July 15, CUPE 8125 said in a press release.

The earliest date for a legal strike or employer lockout is Aug. 2, but the union said they are committed to negotiations.

“Our goal remains the same as it has been from the beginning: to reach a fair, negotiated, collective agreement,” said Alia Hussain, President of CUPE 8125. “A strong strike mandate demonstrates that our members are united behind their bargaining committee and committed to achieving meaningful improvements.”

WestJet told CTV News that they are “focused on reaching an agreement that recognizes the contributions and professionalism of our cabin personnel, while making sure WestJet remains competitive and sustainable.”

The union said key issues include wages, compensation, scheduling and work-life balance. A petition launched by the union says that flight attendants don’t get paid for work before takeoff.

“Flight attendants are working gruelling, maxed-out schedules to cover staffing gaps – while being unpaid for many work hours,” the petition states. “They are expected to manage boarding chaos and ground delays entirely off the clock.”

But WestJet says on its website that cabin crew is paid using a “credit hour system, which is the standard pay model for cabin crew 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,” the airline says.

A strike vote does not mean a strike will occur, the union said. It provides members with the opportunity to authorize strike action should it become necessary at a later stage of the bargaining process, while strengthening the bargaining committee’s position in negotiations.

The results of the strike vote will be released by CUPE 8125 following the close of voting on July 15.

In the meantime, a “Day of Action” information picket is planned at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Sunday, July 12, according to CUPE Local 8125. A second picket is planned for Calgary International Airport on July 14.