WestJet flights cancelled at London International Airport as strike begins

WestJet flights cancelled at London International Airport as strike begins

More than 4,000 WestJet flight attendants officially went on strike Sunday morning

Several WestJet flights in and out of the London International Airport are cancelled after the airline's flight attendants walked off the job Sunday morning.

The strike started at 12:01 a.m., after the union and airline were unable to reach a deal for a new contract, causing dozens of flight cancellations Canada-wide during a busy travel weekend.

WestJet strike: Airline and union negotiate while frustrated travellers scramble

In London, all Sunday flights to and from Calgary and Winnipeg have been affected so far, alongside an early Monday flight to Calgary. There is a possibility of more cancellations later this week, according to airport CEO Scott McFadzean.

"I would expect if they are not able to reach a deal quickly today that you'd start to see those flights being cancelled as the day goes on," he said.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) issued a 72-hour strike notice Thursday, which the airline responded to with a 72-hour lockout notice of their own.

WestJet flight attendants strike after airline, union fail to reach a deal

McFadzean said the airport was relatively quiet Sunday morning because most travellers had been attentive to the possibility of a strike.

"Many people had been proactive about changing their plans or flying out earlier than the proposed strike date, just to be proactive," he said. "I think most people were hopeful [the union] would get a deal, but fully knew that if they didn't, their flight would be cancelled."

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The key point in the 11-month negotiations between the airline and union has been the pay model for WestJet flight attendants.

Flight attendants say they are working an average of around 35 hours a month without pay, including when they are helping passengers board or or during ground delays. WestJet says its system is standard in the industry and that it "combines flight time, ground duties, delays, and other required work into a single, higher rate of pay."

Sources confirmed with CBC News Sunday that CUPE and WestJet remain at the bargaining table.

For passengers who are still waiting to hear about their flight's status, McFadzean recommends keeping a close eye on communication from WestJet and making any alterations directly through the airline.

"If you need to be at your destination and you're relying on a near-term flight with WestJet, I would be looking to make alternate arrangements and looking to get a refund," he said. "If you have flexibility, maybe you can reschedule and plan for a later date as I don't expect the strike will last too long."

Kendra Seguin is a reporter/editor with CBC London. She is interested in writing about music, culture and communities. You can probably find her at a local show or you can email her at kendra.seguin@cbc.ca.