WestJet flight attendants, represented by CUPE 8125, are planning an information picket at Toronto Pearson Airport this weekend.<\/p>\n
The union officially opened a strike vote on Wednesday that will continue until July 15, CUPE 8125 said in a press release.<\/p>\n
The earliest date for a legal strike or employer lockout is Aug. 2, but the union said they are committed to negotiations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal remains the same as it has been from the beginning: to reach a fair, negotiated, collective agreement,\u201d said Alia Hussain, President of CUPE 8125. \u201cA strong strike mandate demonstrates that our members are united behind their bargaining committee and committed to achieving meaningful improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n
A WestJet spokesperson told INsauga.com that they are \u201cfocused on reaching an agreement that recognizes the contributions and professionalism of our Cabin Personnel, while making sure WestJet remains competitive and sustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a normal part of the bargaining process for unions to conduct strike authorization votes during negotiations,\u201d the spokesperson said. \u201cThe occurrence of a strike vote, even where successful, does not mean a strike will occur. We remain at the bargaining table and are committed to working towards a negotiated collective agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n
The union said key issues include wages, compensation, scheduling and work-life balance. A petition launched<\/a> by the union says that flight attendants don\u2019t get paid for work before takeoff.<\/p>\n \u201cFlight attendants are working gruelling, maxed-out schedules to cover staffing gaps \u2013 while being unpaid for many work hours,\u201d the petition states. \u201cThey are expected to manage boarding chaos and ground delays entirely off the clock.\u201d<\/p>\n But WestJet says on its website<\/a> that cabin crew is paid using a \u201ccredit hour system, which is the standard pay model for cabin crew across North America.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRather than paying a lower hourly wage for every hour on duty, the credit hour system combines flight time, ground duties, delays, and other required work into a single, higher rate of pay,\u201d the airline says.<\/p>\n A strike vote does not mean a strike will occur, the union said. It provides members with the opportunity to authorize strike action should it become necessary at a later stage of the bargaining process, while strengthening the bargaining committee\u2019s position in negotiations.<\/p>\n The results of the strike vote will be released by CUPE 8125 following the close of voting on July 15.<\/p>\n In the meantime, a \u201cDay of Action\u201d information picket is planned at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Sunday, July 12, according to CUPE Local 8125.<\/a> A second picket is planned for Calgary International Airport on July 14.<\/p>\n