WestJet’s flight attendants are getting ready to go on strike if an agreement is not reached by Sunday, causing concern among passengers.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has given a 72-hour strike notice for WestJet’s 4,400 flight attendants, prompting WestJet to issue a 72-hour lockout notice in response.
While the strike notice does not automatically mean a walkout, the union representative mentioned that significant differences remain between the two parties on key matters.
This situation has left passengers like Ken Wallin anxious about potential disruptions to their travel plans.
Wallin and his wife are set to fly to Ireland to commemorate their 29th wedding anniversary on Monday. They have been looking forward to this trip after having to cancel their previous vacation due to the pandemic.
If the strike affects their flight, it would mean another missed opportunity for the couple.
Wallin expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s eight, nine months of planning and a lifetime of waiting … out the window.”
Despite exploring alternatives with other airlines, Wallin has not found any suitable direct flights at a reasonable cost. WestJet is allowing passengers with bookings between July 30 and Aug. 4 to change or cancel their flights without any fees, but for Wallin, this only results in a travel credit, which is not ideal for him as an infrequent flyer.
He remains hopeful for a positive outcome, saying, “We’re just holding out that it’s all gonna turn out in the end.”
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For other travelers like Armin Ataee, missing a flight is not an option. Ataee had to rebook his return flight to Vancouver with a different airline to connect to an upcoming conference in Vancouver after visiting his parents in Edmonton.
Although he accepted the WestJet credit, Ataee had to pay an additional $200 for the last-minute booking back to Vancouver.
Reflecting on the situation, Ataee mentioned, “At the end of the day, it was better than losing it all,” despite his preference for a cash refund.
Passengers’ Options to Rebook or Wait
WestJet has reiterated in its statement on Thursday that certain passengers can still change or cancel flights without charges.
However, only specific types of bookings, such as PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex flights, qualify for a refund to the original payment method. Others will receive a refund in the form of a travel credit.
T.J. Dunn, a travel expert from Vancouver, highlighted the limitation of being left with credit usable only for bookings on WestJet’s website, posing a challenge for travelers.
