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Or sign-in if you have an account.WestJet cabin crew from across Alberta stand outside the WestJet offices in Calgary on July 14, 2026. Photo by Jim Wells/PostmediaA WestJet flight attendant strike at the peak of travel and tourist season is one step closer after the union representing the 4,400 workers issued its 72-hour strike notice early Thursday morning. Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorCanadian Union of Public Employees 8125 said in a news release that the two sides are “still too far apart on some key issues.”“We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal,” said Alia Hussain, the local’s president.“There’s still time to avoid a strike. We will continue to bargain around the clock until this is resolved.”Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe union’s key issue is the unpaid duties performed by flight attendants before aircraft take off, which the union has said amount to 35 hours per month.But WestJet has explained that cabin crew salaries are based on a model called credit hours, which pays a higher rate for the duration of the flight to account for preparation before departure. As a result, staff are only paid for when they’re flying. In response to the strike notice, the airline served its own 72-hour lockout notice, and said it too remains committed to resolving the labour impasse.“We greatly value the work and contributions of our cabin crew, and it is our responsibility to ensure the integrity of our network and to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, crew and aircraft,” WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement.The notices won’t affect ongoing airline operations or indicate that a strike will begin, but if no agreement is reached, the flight attendants will be in a legal position for labour action as of Sunday at 12:01 a.m.Last week, WestJet began allowing passengers scheduled to travel between July 30 and Aug. 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation at no cost.The policy also applies to flights booked through WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations and Vacances WestJet Québec, although Sunwing notes that if the new booking costs more, the difference must be paid. For a lower price, the difference will be refunded in a travel voucher. More to come. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.