WestJet flight attendants’ ratification vote closes today

The clock is ticking for WestJet’s mainline flight attendants to vote on a tentative agreement reached with the airline earlier this month.

Members represented by the WestJet Component of CUPE Local 8125 have until later today (Aug. 24) at 2 p.m. MT to cast their ballots in the ratification vote.

The week-long voting period opened Aug. 17, with the WestJet Mainline Bargaining Committee unanimously recommending that members vote in favour of ratifying the deal.

The vote follows a labour dispute earlier this month involving roughly 4,400 WestJet flight attendants.

The group took strike action on Aug. 2 after the union issued a 72-hour strike notice and WestJet responded with a lockout notice.

The airline subsequently suspended much of its Boeing 737 and 787 flying as it wound down operations.

A tentative agreement was then reached early Aug. 3, ending the disruption and allowing WestJet to begin restoring its network.

According to information previously released by the union, the proposed three-year agreement includes wage increases of more than 18 per cent, along with a new Duty Period Premium addressing ground duty.

Other proposed improvements include increased time off, enhanced allowances, greater flexibility for shift trades, increased rest, reduced maximum flight segments, stronger reserve protections and improvements to sick leave banking.

CUPE has described the tentative agreement as “meaningful progress,” saying it improves upon WestJet’s legacy flight credit system by recognizing more of the work cabin crew are required to perform.

The deal must be ratified by WestJet’s mainline flight attendants before it can take effect.

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