Flight attendants with WestJet in Canada on Sunday embarked on a strike over pay dispute, leading to the cancellation of over 300 flights, and disruption of travel plans of passengers.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing 4,400 cabin crew of the airline, which is the country’s second largest, confirmed the mass action in a statement.

The union’s president, Alia Hussain, explained that negotiations were made but the airline’s offer was unsatisfactory, adding that they were still open for further negotiations to settle the matter.

He, however, urged the government not to interfere.

The negotiation is based on how flight attendants should be paid for duties performed while still on the ground, with the union alleging that some of the work was unpaid.

Mr Hussain said, “We tried until the very last minute to get a fair deal that recognizes the value of the work cabin crews do. WestJet’s offer did not go far enough. We are on strike because we believe we deserve better. 

“We are ready to go back to the table to settle. We hope the federal government will not interfere and will let the bargaining process run its course. Unpaid work is a big piece of our priorities, but we are bargaining a comprehensive contract. We would not be here if they had taken our concerns seriously for almost eleven months of bargaining.”

Responding to the strike, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer, Alexis von Hoensbroech, in a statement, stated that the union rejected their proposal despite being the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, wage increase, amongst others.

Mr Hoensbroech said, “We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn’t accepted.”

WestJet airline told travellers that the strike has stopped them from operating any of their scheduled flights on Boeing 737s or 787s, assuring that they would be refunded or re-accommodated. 

The airline stated that they would contact travellers who directly reserved with them through their official email, and urged others who booked through travel agents or third-party platforms to reach out to them.

Recall that in August last year about 10, 517 Air Canada flight attendants embarked on strike for a similar demand.