The labor union representing flight attendants at WestJet has disclosed the specifics of the tentative agreement reached with the Calgary-headquartered airline this week following a brief strike. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced that the agreement entails a salary increase exceeding 18% over a three-year period, as well as the introduction of a new “duty period premium” to compensate for ground duties. Additionally, the deal includes enhanced time off benefits, increased food and uniform allowances, and various other provisions.
WestJet experienced a full grounding of its flights across a significant part of Canada during the extended holiday weekend due to the looming strike by 4,400 flight attendants who initiated the strike early on a Sunday. However, a tentative agreement was reached between the airline and the union in the early hours of Monday, leading to a gradual return to normal operations for WestJet.
The cabin crew members are scheduled to vote on the agreement in the upcoming weeks.