WestJet and CUPE local 8125 reached a tentative agreement Monday morning, one day after the union representing 4,400 flight attendants launched a strike that led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights during the August long weekend.
The parties agreed at 6:15 a.m. Eastern Time to end the strike and lockout, although it wasn’t immediately clear how soon flights would resume.
Contract talks had been ongoing between the two sides since January, with general wage rates and compensation for work done on the ground the main sticking points.
CUPE 8125 president Alia Hussain said the union will present the agreement to its members for their review and ratification vote, and the tentative deal “represents meaningful progress.
“It evolves the flight credit system by recognizing more of the work cabin crew are required to perform and with general increases to compensation for that work,” she said. “Most importantly, this agreement was achieved through collective bargaining at the negotiating table.”
It wasn’t immediately clear how soon operations would resume.
WestJet, for its part, said its teams are working to restore service as quickly as possible.
“This agreement will be transformative for both our cabin crew and the airline industry, as well as sustainable for WestJet,” the airline said in a statement Sunday.
“Efforts are underway to restore our network as quickly as possible,” it added.
Pearson airport on Sunday advised travellers that all WestJet flights “remain suspended this morning” and said passengers scheduled with the airline should contact WestJet directly for updates.
