WestJet flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125 initiated a strike early Sunday after negotiations for a new collective agreement collapsed. The airline confirmed it had suspended all flights on Boeing 737s and 787s, canceling more than 300 flights as of early Sunday morning. WestJet Encore flights operating on Q400 aircraft continued to operate.
CUPE Local 8125, which represents approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, announced the strike after what it described as WestJet’s final offer failed to address key concerns. The union stated that flight attendants are not compensated for significant portions of their workday, including pre-flight boarding, safety checks, and post-flight duties. CUPE Local 8125 President Alia Hussain said negotiators “tried until the very last minute to get a fair deal that recognizes the value of the work cabin crews do,” but WestJet’s offer “did not go far enough.”
WestJet countered that it had presented an “industry-leading agreement”, including pay increases and compensation covering all time before and after flights. The airline described its proposal as one that would make WestJet the only Canadian airline to offer an hourly rate for cabin crew covering all duties. WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech stated, “We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada,” adding that the offer included a double-digit wage increase in year one. The airline confirmed it could not operate any scheduled flights on Boeing 737s or 787s during the strike.
Travel disruptions and customer impact
WestJet suspended all air travel bookings until August 5, with the possibility of an extended disruption if a resolution is not reached. The airline stated that passengers with travel booked between July 30 and August 4 could make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost. WestJet said it would contact affected travelers directly via email, while those who booked through travel agents or third-party platforms were advised to contact their providers.
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu called the strike a “disappointing development” in an early Sunday statement. The strike coincides with a three-day holiday weekend in Canada, exacerbating travel disruptions during a peak travel period.
Background of the dispute
The core issue in the contract dispute centers on compensation for ground duties. CUPE argues that flight attendants are only paid for time the aircraft is in the air, despite delays and extended ground operations becoming more common. The union seeks compensation from check-in through clock-out, covering all pre-flight and post-flight duties. WestJet, however, states it compensates flight attendants through a “credit hour” system, which accounts for time spent on ground duties.
Both sides have expressed willingness to resume negotiations. WestJet confirmed it remained available for talks, while CUPE Local 8125 reiterated its commitment to reaching a fair agreement. The airline noted that its Encore flights, operated on Q400 aircraft, continued to operate during the strike.
Timeline of events
- July 30: CUPE Local 8125 issued a strike notice.
- July 31: WestJet issued a lockout notice in response.
- August 2: Flight attendants initiated the strike after negotiations failed.
- August 2–5: WestJet suspended most bookings, with operations halted on Boeing 737s and 787s.