After a week-long strike, several WestJet flights are still cancelled at Vancouver International Airport. The strike, which began on May 19, ended on May 27 after the airline reached a tentative agreement with the union representing its cabin crew.
According to WestJet, the cancelled flights are a result of operational challenges caused by the strike. The airline is working to rebook affected passengers and is offering full refunds or travel credits for those whose flights have been cancelled.
The strike, which was initiated by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), affected approximately 3,000 WestJet cabin crew members. The union had been negotiating a new contract with the airline since September 2019, but talks broke down in March of this year.
The tentative agreement, which still needs to be ratified by the union, includes improvements to working conditions, wages, and job security for WestJet cabin crew. The details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
In a statement, WestJet CEO Ed Sims expressed his gratitude to the union for their commitment to reaching a resolution. He also apologized to affected passengers for the inconvenience caused by the cancelled flights.
The strike and subsequent flight cancellations have caused frustration and inconvenience for passengers, many of whom were left stranded at the airport. However, with the strike now over and a tentative agreement in place, it is hoped that normal operations will resume at Vancouver International Airport in the coming days.
