WestJet flight attendants represented by a union for about 4,400 employees launch a strike after contract talks fail to reach an agreement before a 72-hour strike notice period. Multiple outlets report the union issues a 72-hour notice to the airline, setting up the possibility of labour action during the busy summer travel season. One report says WestJet responds with a 72-hour lockout notice. Despite the notices and ongoing negotiations, flight operations are disrupted: outlets describe flights being halted across Canada, leaving many travellers facing cancellations or uncertainty. Another report notes that some flights could begin to be grounded by Friday if a tentative agreement is not reached.
Later reporting indicates that WestJet and the union reach a tentative agreement early Monday morning, ending the job action and reducing the impact on scheduled travel. The remaining disruption is therefore framed as having resulted from the period between failed negotiations and the subsequent tentative contract deal, with details focused on unpaid work being cited as a sticking point.
