WestJet Cabin Crew Accuse Carrier of Paying Under Minimum Wage

Westjet 737-800 air to airWestjet 737-800 air to air

It has been revealed that the carrier only compensates staff for the time that they spend in the air rather than the total amount of time that they have worked. This means that, in some cases, staff are working below the minimum hourly wage of certain provinces. WestJet has defended its practices.

Some members of WestJet‘s cabin crew have accused the carrier of paying staff under minimum wage, the CBC reports. It is alleged that the airline only compensates staff for the time that they spend in flight rather than the total sum of their duties.

While the outlet reports that this practice is common throughout the industry, it adds that other operators do also compensate their employees for time spent at airports before and after they fly.

Two unidentified members of cabin crew spoke to the outlet and offered their insight on the current situation at WestJet.

“WestJet doesn’t pay its flight attendants like other airlines. It’s frustrating. We’ve brought it up before that other airlines have guarantees — if you put on your uniform and go to work, you get a minimum of this much pay,” they explained.

The outlet uses the example of crew working a one-hour flight from Calgary to Vancouver to illustrate how WestJet’s current compensation system works. While they may well work a four-hour shift from the time they arrive Calgary to the time they leave Vancouver, crew would only be paid for that single hour of flying time. At the current rate, the outlet reports that the hourly starting wage for a full-time cabin crew member is C$25.29 ($19.31).

Spread out over the four hours given as part of the Calgary to Vancouver example, this amounts to C$6.32 ($4.83). This amount is well below the set minimum wages in both the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, which are C$13.60 ($10.39)and C$11.35 ($8.67), respectively.

CBC reports that the carrier has declined its interview request. However, in a statement, WestJet defended its practices, saying that it, “provides our cabin crew members with a salary and compensation package that offers [a] variety of unique features.”

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