By Cheryl Jahn

WestJet deadline looming

Jul 21, 2022 | 3:31 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The prospect of a strike by West Jet employees in Calgary and Vancouver looms large right now.

“It’s the last thing that Canadians want right now, is a work disruption in the middle of the situation we’re in today,” noted federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.

It’s a sentiment travel expert Claire Newell shares with the federal Transport Minister.

“It is the worst possible timing for West Jet,” says Claire Newell of Travel Best Bets. “But they’re not alone. I’m seeing airlines around the world struggling with these types of issues. West Jet has said it didn’t see this as a surprise, it’s part of the negotiations but I would expect that they are doing everything in their power to settle this.”

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A number of other airlines, like Air France and KLM have just settled contracts, while Lufthansa is currently in negotiations. The company and Unifor have until Sunday to reach a settlement or 72-hour strike notice can be issued and West Jet employees could be on picket lines by Wednesday. And Newell says passengers could be in tough.

“For those who are holding West Jet tickets, it’s tough because they’re in a waiting game,” says Newell. She says that is especially the case when West Jet is the only game in town.

The Prince George Airport has four West Jet arriving flights and five departing flights daily. The federal Transport Minister says he has faith in the collective bargaining process.

“So for now, I’m monitoring it closely,” says Minister Alghabra. “I am concerned about risk but I want to leave it up to both parties to reach an agreement at the table because I think that’s the best outcome. But I am certainly concerned about the risk.”

West Jet and the union have been negotiating since October and have stalled over salaries and scope of work.