WestJet flight attendants are pushing for a new agreement that includes compensation for alleged unpaid work, mirroring the ongoing dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants’ union on similar issues.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) issued a statement on Tuesday signaling their intention to negotiate a fresh collective contract for WestJet’s flight attendants. CUPE 8125 President, Alia Hussain, emphasized the importance of fairly compensating the attendants for all their work hours, including pre-boarding safety checks and post-flight duties, stating that unpaid work is unacceptable and must cease.
Hussain reiterated the union’s commitment to engaging in sincere negotiations, urging WestJet to pay its flight attendants fairly and compensate them for all their time. The current collective agreement with WestJet is set to expire on December 31.
In a separate development, Air Canada recently faced flight disruptions nationwide due to a potential strike by its 10,000 flight attendants, also represented by CUPE. The core issue of the dispute revolved around allegations of unpaid work. Despite federal intervention through Labour Minister Patty Hajdu invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order the attendants back to work, the union resisted.
Following a three-day strike that concluded on August 19 with the aid of a federal mediator and a tentative agreement, Air Canada’s flight attendants voted against the proposed deal earlier this month, leading to a return to mediation on the wage issue.
The union representing Air Canada’s flight attendants has requested the cancellation of the mediation process, highlighting concerns over fair pay and proper compensation for work hours, especially when planes are not in operation.
In response to the ongoing unrest in the airline industry regarding unpaid work, Minister Hajdu initiated an investigation in August. The federal government plans to consult with employees and employers, conducting roundtable discussions with stakeholders on September 23-24 and October 2-3.