NDP Leader Avi Lewis issued the following statement:

“To the thousands of WestJet flight attendants who are out on strike against unpaid work: the NDP stands with you.

Your fight is the fight of every worker who is sick and tired of getting pushed around by big corporations — people who are working harder than ever and still struggling to get ahead, while a handful of CEOs keep getting richer. Millions of Canadians will be cheering you on today.

The right to strike is not an inconvenience, it’s a cornerstone of our democracy. That’s why the Liberal government must not use Section 107 to force flight attendants back to work, as it did with Air Canada workers last year. Canadians won’t soon forget if the Prime Minister intervenes on behalf of WestJet this time around.

This strike is about basic fairness, dignity and respect. No one should be expected to work for free.”