WestJet's Flight Attendant Strike: A Glimpse into a Broader Industry Issue The recent strike by WestJet flight attendants has brought attention to a long standing dispute over pay and working conditions in Canada's airline industry.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 4,400 cabin crew at WestJet, is pushing for an hourly rate that covers all time before and after flights, as well as a double digit wage increase in the first year.
This issue is not new; last summer, Air Canada flight attendants went on strike over similar grievances, stranding more than 100,000 travelers during peak travel season.