14 WestJet flights in total have been cancelled at London International Airport (YXU) as flight attendants go on strike. The airline’s flights halted on a busy summer travel weekend after the carrier and union failed to reach a new contract. “We were hopeful going into this that they would reach a settlement prior to today, the deadline for strike action,” said Scott McFadzean, CEO of the London International Airport. “Unfortunately, they weren’t able to reach an agreement and flights have been canceled to Calgary and Winnipeg today from London.” Affected flights are to and from Alberta. Both CUPE, the union representing the workers, and the airline announced the move after a strike deadline passed. Contract talks had been ongoing in the carrier’s home city of Calgary, in an effort to bridge the gaps between WestJet and CUPE WestJet Component. Wages and compensation for work being done on the ground are among the stumbling blocks. “They’re still at the negotiating table and we’ll see how things roll out here,” added McFadzean. “You’ll see tomorrow (Monday) morning’s 6 a.m. flight is already cancelled, but the evening flight has not yet been officially cancelled. So, there is some hope, I guess that that things will proceed. At this time, if I was a traveller, I’d be staying very close to WestJet and the website and just making sure that if I need to get somewhere, that I’m looking at alternative options as well.” WestJet said affected passengers will be refunded or reaccommodated as applicable. “We’re just trying to do our best to to help point passengers in the right direction to get their flights rescheduled or refunded if they do show up at the airport,” added McFadzean. “We do have people there available to assist. Obviously, they need to be in direct contact with the airlines. The airport doesn’t handle that side of bookings, but we are there to assist and we are there to continue to support our other flights that are operating with other carriers.” “We’re disappointed to be here; this directly impacts the travel plans of our guests, our WestJetters and the communities and businesses we serve,” said CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech. “Our focus remains on staying available for the union to reach an agreement. We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn’t accepted.” In a media release from the union, Alia Hussain said WestJet’s latest offer didn’t go far enough. “We are on strike because we believe we deserve better,” said the president of the union’s 8125 local. “We are ready to go back to the table to settle. We hope the federal government will not interfere and will let the bargaining process run its course. Unpaid work is a big piece of our priorities, but we are bargaining a comprehensive contract. “We would not be here if (the airline) had taken our concerns seriously for almost 11 months of bargaining.” Hours after the strike took effect, WestJet released the details of its latest proposal. The deal offers what the company describes as significant across-the-board wage increases, starting with a 13 per cent boost in October 2026 and retroactive pay to January 1. That’s alongside a new duty pay premium worth an additional 12 per cent salary equivalent. Also in the deal, an immediate 13 per cent per diem hike, annual $300 healthcare spending accounts, expanded vacation, and a 17-week postpartum maternity leave top-up. Scheduling and quality-of-life enhancements, including reduced maximum duty days, extra rest hours at home and away, and extra pay for reassignments or layover hotel delays, were also part of the package. WestJet had begun grounding planes and cancelling flights in the lead-up to a potential strike to avoid stranding passengers and crew. Along with wage rates generally, compensation for work done on the ground has marked a key stumbling block in the talks, less than a year after the same issue sparked a work stoppage by 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada. In Calgary, bargaining teams continued with near-round-the-clock negotiations at a hotel conference room to hammer out a new contract. - With files from The Canadian Press.
