Despite WestJet wind-down plans, a strike isn’t a sure bet, but the clock

WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, is preparing to wind down operations before its flight attendants strike or are locked out.

But an agreement to gradually halt operations doesn’t mean the company is guaranteed to go through a labour dispute, as negotiations between the union and the company continue.

In a note sent to some employees and obtained by CBC News, WestJet vice-president of inflight operations Robert Antoniuk wrote the agreement between the union and the airline “is not an indication of escalation toward labour action,” despite it explicitly being an agreement on how to shut down operations in the event negotiations between the CUPE WestJet Component and the company fail.

Union representatives from CUPE told CBC News in response, “the union [members] have been clear from the start that what they want is a fair deal without a strike.”

Federal mediators remain involved with ongoing negotiations, according to federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon.

“My understanding that those talks are progressing … we’re hopeful that they reach a negotiated agreement,” said MacKinnon in Montreal on Wednesday morning.

These types of plans are required: expert

Announcing that there are contingency plans to slow down or wind down operations before a labour dispute is a sure thing is not a surprise move, according to John Gradek, former Air Canada director and current faculty lecturer in supply networks and aviation management at McGill University.

“Pre-positioning is required,” said Gradek, explaining that airlines such as WestJet need to make sure physical airplanes and crew members aren’t stuck overseas in the event of a shutdown.

WATCH | Canada’s second-largest airline could see a summer strike:

WestJet flight attendants vote to strike by August long weekend

WestJet flight attendants voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike over wages and working conditions as early as the August long weekend if no deal is reached, potentially throwing Canadian holiday air travel into chaos.

Either the company or the union would need to provide 72 hours’ notice of a strike or lockout, so July 30 could be the first direct confirmation the airline would have to cancel flights for thousands of passengers in the following days.

Gradek said for distant locations, such as Rome or Tokyo, that 72 hours notice might not be enough.

“They’ll start doing things tomorrow, if not later on today, start either cancelling outbound flights from Calgary to Japan. Those will be cancelled, but that’s normal in the event of a shutdown,” he said.

No cancellations, for now

WestJet has not specifically announced flight cancellations in connection with a potential labour dispute, but has offered to waive cancellation or change fees for passengers travelling between July…