CanadaWestJet announced early Saturday morning that 81 of the day's scheduled flights have been scrubbed ahead of the stike deadling on Sunday.Travellers are likely on the edge as the airline starts its first round of flight cancellationsThe Canadian Press · Posted: Aug 01, 2026 8:16 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.A WestJet Boeing 737 Max aircraft takes off from Vancouver International Airport on Friday. WestJet says it has begun parking aircraft ahead of a possible strike by flight attendants as bargaining with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 4,400 flight attendants, continues in the hope of reaching agreement on a new contract and avoiding a work stoppage (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)Some travellers are heading into the long weekend on edge, as WestJet begins its first round of cancellations ahead of a possible strike by flight attendants.The airline announced early Saturday morning that 81 of the day's scheduled flights have been scrubbed.The company says the move is meant to prevent crew and passengers from getting stranded, and travellers should check their flight status before leaving for the airport."This action is in response to the union’s notice to strike and the inability to reach an agreement. WestJet’s most recent proposal was designed to be a transformative, industry-leading agreement for WestJet's cabin crew, and directly addressed the key issues the union identified as its priorities," a WestJet spokesperson said in a statement. The union representing the flight attendants has said the proposal didn't address all of their concerns.If a deal is not reached by Sunday morning, either side could begin a work stoppage that would cancel hundreds of flights during a long weekend for much of the country.WATCH | WestJet parking planes ahead of looming strike:WestJet parks planes ahead of possible flight attendants' strike12 hours ago|Duration 2:45WestJet has begun parking its fleet of Boeing 737s ahead of a possible flight attendants' strike on Sunday. The airline says it's still trying to reach a deal to avoid the shutdown.WestJet says it is continuing to bargain with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 4,400 flight attendants, in the hope of reaching an agreement on a new contract. The union triggered a 72-hour strike notice that ends just after midnight Sunday in Calgary, where WestJet is headquartered, and the airline responded with a lockout notice on the same timeline. That strike notice doesn't commit flight attendants to taking job action but has proved worrisome for passengers who are left in limbo, unsure whether or not their flights will take off this weekend. In emails obtained by CBC News, WestJet said it had put forward what it believes is the best agreement it could responsibly offer.That includes what the company claims is a union proposal "for compensation before and after flights through duty premium payments," which would be included in what WestJet describes as a cumulative wage increase of about 36 per cent over four years.VideoWestJet passengers scramble after flight attendants give strike noticeVideoWestJet passengers can change or cancel flights amidst strike threatThe company also says it offered scheduling improvements and better provisions for things like travel and hotels while flight attendants are away from home, according to one of the internal WestJet emails viewed by CBC News.The union representing flight attendants told CBC News that the proposals don't go far enough."We aren’t just bargaining a few things, we are seeking a comprehensive contract that reflects the priorities of our members," CUPE WestJet Component president Alia Hussain said in an email.WATCH | Former WestJet attendant speaks with CBC News Network:CBC News Network's John Northcott speaks with former WestJet flight attendant Calleigh GingrasJuly 31|Duration 5:10Get the latest on CBCNews.ca, the CBC News App, and CBC News Network for breaking news and analysis.Hussain added that while some progress has been made toward reaching a deal, there are issues remaining that "need to be resolved at the table." "We are hopeful that we can still avoid a strike and remain committed to resolving this there."What happens to affected travellers?As cancellations begin, the airline has said travellers should check the status of their flights ahead of their trips. WestJet has also allowed passengers travelling between July 30 and Aug. 4 to make a one-time change or cancellation with no fees. If delays or cancellations occur, the airline said affected passengers will be refunded or re-accommodated as applicable. LISTEN | WestJet is parking its jets and there's still no deal:Your World Tonight28:00WestJet uncertainty, migrants return from Ceuta, sports equipment libraries, and moreNotably, only passengers with PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex flights — or premium and business passengers flying between Canada and Asia — can get their money back. Others will get a travel credit. The airline said travellers who booked with WestJet directly will be notified of any changes through the contact information provided in their booking, and those who booked through a third party such as a travel agent will have to make changes through the third party.What is this dispute all about? Compensation for work done on the ground remains a key stumbling block in the talks, less than a year after the same issue sparked a work stoppage by Air Canada flight attendants. They ultimately won compensation increases.The union has characterized certain ground duties as unpaid, but WestJet describes it differently.VideoPay airline workers for 'every minute they work': PoilievreWestJet's current "credit hour" system combines flight time, ground duties, delays and other labour into a "single, higher rate of pay" that is then credited across the workday, the company says on its website.The pay rate ranges between $28.88 and $53.61 per credit hour, the company says. At 80 credit hours a month — considered full-time work — that adds up to between $2,300 and $4,300.Many airlines operate under a similar structure, but Delta Air Lines spearheaded reforms in 2022 when it became the first carrier in North America to pay flight attendants specifically for work done on the ground. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines followed suit with boarding pay of 50 per cent of regular rates. WATCH | Taking labour issues into consideration when booking flights:How can air passengers take labour issues into consideration when booking flights?July 31|Duration 2:10Talks continue this morning between WestJet and the union representing its flight attendants. CUPE 8125 issued a 72-hour strike notice yesterday. And WestJet responded with a 72-hour lockout notice. The workers will be in a legal strike position late Saturday night Pacific timeWith files from Abby Hughes and Anis Heydari