A group of approximately 30 WestJet flight attendants staged a demonstration outside Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Sunday, initiating a nationwide strike due to unsuccessful contract negotiations between the airline and the union.
By 1:30 p.m. AT, all WestJet flights scheduled to depart from or arrive at Halifax airport for that day were called off, leaving numerous passengers stranded at the terminal.
Visitors from the United Kingdom, Ed and Ann Meehan, were among those affected, spending the previous night at the airport floor with other stranded passengers after their flight was rescheduled and subsequently canceled multiple times. Eventually, they opted to book alternative flights at their own expense, which included an additional layover in Iceland on their way back home.
The Meehans, frequent visitors to Canada, expressed their disappointment, indicating that this incident had negatively impacted their perception of the country permanently.
Ed Meehan voiced his opinion, stating, “There should be a more efficient way to resolve such matters without inconveniencing Canadian citizens, international travelers, and tarnishing Canada’s reputation.” The couple affirmed that they have no intentions of revisiting Canada in the future.
Similarly, Ryan Callbeck, part of a group of eight passengers, learned at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday that their flight to Regina had been canceled. Despite receiving a toll-free customer service number, the calls kept disconnecting, leaving them without a resolution.
Callbeck expressed disappointment over the lack of effective communication channels, sympathizing with the flight attendants’ cause while lamenting the unexpected expenses and disruptions to their meticulously planned trip.
Across Canada, a total of 4,287 WestJet flight attendants initiated the strike on Sunday, highlighting concerns over salary and working conditions. The union stressed that its members were being inadequately compensated and were compelled to undertake unpaid tasks, including ground duties before flights.
WestJet assured affected passengers that they would either receive refunds or be accommodated accordingly.
Officials at Halifax Stanfield International Airport advised travelers with WestJet bookings over the next three days to verify their flight status online before heading to the airport.
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