WestJet passengers who purchased insurance after the announcement of a potential strike may not be covered for flight disruptions resulting from the labor dispute, according to travel experts. Insurance purchased prior to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announcement of a potential strike by WestJet flight attendants might have provided coverage. However, since CUPE Local 8125 indicated the possibility of a strike over the upcoming August long weekend, insurance companies could now view a strike starting on August 2 as a foreseeable event and may reject claims.
An insurance memo from Manulife stated that benefits related to this potential strike would likely not apply, a move that did not surprise Martin Firestone, the owner of Travel Secure, a travel insurance company in Toronto. Firestone explained that new insurance policies purchased now could still cover incidents like illness or death but would not cover flight disruptions caused by a WestJet strike.
Firestone emphasized the importance of comprehensive insurance beyond just flight costs, citing scenarios where trip interruption insurance could safeguard both flight expenses and additional costs, such as cruise bookings. He highlighted the need for cancellation and interruption insurance over basic airline ticket coverage.
For travelers who did not purchase insurance, options are limited if faced with flight disruptions due to a strike. Alberta Motor Association travel expert Nikola Berube advised that WestJet would be responsible for rebooking or refunding affected passengers. However, rebooking might not be as convenient, potentially causing delays or inconveniences.
In case of a strike, passengers may consider “cancel for any reason” insurance, although it may only cover a portion of expenses. Purchasing a new ticket is also an option, albeit an expensive one that travelers would need to cover entirely.
While concerns loom over a potential strike, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech and the union representing flight attendants have expressed commitment to reaching a resolution before the end of July to avert a strike. Notably, both sides are actively engaged in negotiations to prevent disruptions to travel plans for passengers.
The union president, Alia Hussain, highlighted that their goal is to avoid a strike, echoing sentiments from previous labor disputes at WestJet. In 2024, a strike involving unionized airline mechanics during the Canada Day weekend impacted tens of thousands of travelers.
