WestJet workers at the Calgary and Vancouver airports have voted in favour of strike action if a new contract cannot be reached with the airline’s management team.
Unifor says the local union representing more than 700 baggage and customer service agents voted 98% in support of a strike and could walk off the job on July 27 if no deal is achieved.
Wages are the key stumbling block in negotiations to reach the unionized workers first collective agreement with WestJet.
Unifor also says that baggage handling crews and customer service agents are working in a “pressure cooker atmosphere” as flights are delayed or cancelled by WestJet.
WestJet said in a statement that the strike vote is a typical step in the negotiation process and was expected.
Before taking any strike action, Unifor must give WestJet 72 hours notice.
The potential strike at privately held WestJet comes as airlines and airports across Canada struggle with a dramatic rise in air travel this summer following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
