WestJet Parking Jets Ahead of Looming Labor Dispute

WestJet, a Canadian airline, has begun parking its Boeing 737 planes ahead of a potential labor strike by flight attendants. The pilots could walk out as early as August 2 at 12:01 am Mountain Time if negotiations fail to produce an agreement over unpaid work.

The issue is that the current contract only pays cabin crew from when they clock in, not from the time they check in for a flight. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents WestJet flight attendants, has been pushing for this change.

WestJet says it has made some progress in negotiations but needs to resolve the remaining issues at the bargaining table. The airline is hopeful that a strike can be avoided.