WestJet, union talks ‘progressing’ as strike deadline nears, minister says

Talks between WestJet and the union representing the airline’s flight attendants are “progressing,” the federal transport minister said Wednesday as a strike deadline inches closer.

Close to 4,400 union members represented by CUPE Local 8125 could walk off the job as soon as Sunday, Aug. 2, unless both sides reach a negotiated agreement on a new contract.

“The parties are at the table. They are negotiating, I know, very intensely. My information is that those talks are progressing,” Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon told Global News after an unrelated announcement in Montreal.

“Obviously, I have to leave it to the parties to characterize those talks, but they are very, very well supported by the Federal Mediation Service and we’re hopeful that they reach a negotiated agreement.”

A WestJet spokesperson told Global News the airline “remains actively engaged in negotiations and is fully prepared to make meaningful improvements that work for cabin crew members while balancing the future sustainability of WestJet.”

“We are optimistic we can arrive at an agreement,” the airline added in an emailed statement.

WestJet has given passengers with flights booked between July 30 and Aug. 4 the ability to make a one-time change or cancellation to their bookings with no fee.

However, CUPE 8125 President Alia Hussain put the onus on WestJet to ensure a successful negotiation.

“We want to continue bargaining, but it’s up to WestJet to make the meaningful progress needed to avoid a strike,” Hussain said in a statement to Global News. “Our members don’t want to go on strike, but we are prepared to if necessary.

“The biggest sticking point remains unpaid work and wage rates. Flight attendants should be paid for all the work they do, and we can no longer remain amongst the lowest paid in Canada. It remains up to WestJet to do the right thing, end unpaid work, and reach a fair deal without disrupting travel.”

Separately Wednesday, the NDP urged Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to commit to not intervening in a future strike by invoking Section 107 of the Labour Code.

Hajdu invoked that statute last summer to force striking Air Canada flight attendants back to work and order binding arbitration. The union ignored the order and a negotiated agreement was ultimately reached with the airline.

“This clear contempt for workers’ fundamental rights is unacceptable and must not be repeated,” NDP MPs Don Davies and Leah Gazan wrote in a letter to Hajdu.

The letter quotes CUPE 8125 President Alia Hussain in stating that government intervention in collective bargaining “risks altering the balance that is essential to meaningful negotiations.”

The NDP has introduced legislation to repeal Section 107 from the Labour Code.

Hajdu’s office would not say if she would commit to not intervening in a future strike when asked by Global News to respond to the NDP letter.

“The federal government will always maintain that the strongest deals happen at the table,” the office said in a statement.

“Canadians are relying on WestJet and CUPE to reach a deal.”

Federal mediators were appointed earlier this month to assist the parties in their negotiations.

Hajdu’s office added the minister has met with both CUPE and WestJet amid the dispute.

—With files from Global’s Adriana Fallico