Flight attendants working for privately held WestJet Airlines have issued a 72-hour notice of their intention to go on strike, potentially grounding the carrier during the busy summer travel season.
About 4,400 flight attendants could walk off the job at WestJet this coming weekend now that the strike notice has been issued by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The Calgary-based airline responded to the union’s strike notice by issuing its own 72-hour lockout notice, putting the two sides on a potential collision course in coming days.
WestJet and the flight attendants remain far apart on key issues such as pay and benefits and talks between the company and union have stalled in recent days.
However, in a written statement, WestJet said that it remains focused on reaching a deal and avoiding a work stoppage.
The potential strike at WestJet comes after flight attendants at Air Canada (AC) went on strike last summer, temporarily grounding that carrier and leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
WestJet’s flight attendants could go on strike at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 2 if the two sides fail to reach a new labour pact.
WestJet has said that some of its flights could start to be grounded on July 31.
The airline operates more than 600 flights per day and flies more than 70,000 passengers on its busiest days.
WestJet is a privately held company and its stock does not trade on a public exchange.
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