The WestJet flight attendants strike is now closer than ever, and the airline has already started grounding part of its fleet. As a result, thousands of travellers could soon face major disruptions. WestJet confirmed Friday that it had begun parking its Boeing 737 aircraft in preparation for a possible work stoppage.

The move comes just days before a critical strike deadline. Consequently, both the airline and its unionized cabin crew are racing against the clock to reach a deal.

Why WestJet Is Parking Its 737 Fleet

The WestJet component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) issued a 72-hour strike notice to the airline on Thursday. In response, WestJet issued a lockout notice of its own. Because of this, the airline says it has no choice but to prepare for a shutdown.

“At this time, negotiations have not resulted in an agreement and as a labour disruption approaches, WestJet must begin the difficult process of parking 737 aircraft,” WestJet said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

“This necessary step allows the airline to maintain operational control and protect the integrity of the broader network,” the airline added. However, WestJet also stressed that talks are still ongoing.

It said the airline remained “active at the bargaining table to achieve a mutually agreeable deal at the earliest possible time.” Similarly, a CUPE spokesperson told Global News on Friday that “the bargaining committee was still focused on reaching a deal and avoiding a strike.”

If a negotiated agreement can’t be reached by Aug. 2 at midnight mountain time, flight attendants could walk off the job. Still, CUPE clarified Thursday that a “strike notice does not mean flight attendants want to go on strike.” In other words, the notice is a bargaining tool, not a final decision.

What This Means for Travellers

For now, WestJet says it doesn’t expect any immediate impact on flights. That said, the situation could change quickly once the deadline passes. The airline stated it “continues to operate normally” while negotiations continue.

Meanwhile, WestJet is offering some relief to nervous passengers. Guests travelling between Thursday, July 30, and Tuesday, Aug. 4, can make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost. This flexibility is meant to ease concerns as the strike deadline approaches.

“Should flight delays or cancellations occur, impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable,” WestJet said in a statement Thursday. Furthermore, the airline will email customers who booked directly through its website. Those who booked through a third-party platform or travel agent, however, are being asked to contact them directly if a work stoppage occurs.

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu also weighed in on the dispute Friday. “Canadians expect them to stay at that table and get a deal. The best deals are the ones that the parties arrive at together,” she told reporters.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre offered his own take on the situation. He described the workers’ demands as “very fair.” Additionally, he said, “I’m on the side of paying workers for every minute they work. When most people show up for a job, when they set foot in the door and the clock starts ticking, they get paid. The airline attendants are not paid for the grounded time.”

The Core Issues Behind the Labour Dispute

On Thursday, the union said “The parties remain too far apart on several key issues.” Nonetheless, it noted that some progress had been made during bargaining. Interestingly, this dispute echoes the one that led to a three-day strike by Air Canada flight attendants last summer.

The WestJet cabin crew involved in the collective action are “seeking an end to the unfair practice of unpaid work,” CUPE said. Unpaid labour, according to the union, remains the central sticking point in these talks.

“Essential duties before boarding, during delays, emergency evacuations, and after arrival are not fully compensated. Flight attendants are responsible for safety from the moment they report to work, and not just when the aircraft moves,” a CUPE spokesperson told Global News Thursday.

The union also highlighted the financial strain this places on workers. “Some flight attendants are making below minimum wage when you factor in their unpaid hours — in some cases up to 35 unpaid hours every month.”

According to the union, the “archaic flight credit system” is largely to blame. Under this system, members reportedly “end up working roughly 35 hours free per month.” As a result, many flight attendants say their real hourly pay falls well below expectations.

WestJet, on the other hand, defends its pay structure. The airline says the credit hour system is “the standard pay model for cabin crew across North America.” It further explained that “block hours start when the aircraft leaves the gate and end when it arrives at the gate.” One credit hour, WestJet notes, equals one flight time hour.

What Comes Next

With the Aug. 2 deadline fast approaching, both sides face growing pressure to close the gap. Ultimately, the outcome will determine whether thousands of WestJet passengers see their travel plans disrupted. Until then, the airline says it will keep working toward a deal while preparing for the possibility of a shutdown.