Flight attendants on strike as WestJet, CUPE fail to reach deal

Early this morning (Aug 2), CUPE 8125 – the union representing WestJet’s 4,400 flight attendants – announced that its members have “officially gone on strike.”
CUPE 8125 President, Alia Hussain said in making the announcement that: “We tried until the very last minute to get a fair deal that recognizes the value of the work cabin crews do. WestJet’s offer did not go far enough.”

Hussain continued: “We are on strike because we believe we deserve better. We are ready to go back to the table to settle. We hope the federal government will not interfere and will let the bargaining process run its course. Unpaid work is a big piece of our priorities, but we are bargaining a comprehensive contract.”

And she added: “We would not be here if they had taken our concerns seriously for almost eleven months of bargaining.”

In response, WestJet Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexis von Hoensbroech said: “We’re disappointed to be here, this directly impacts the travel plans of our guests, our WestJetters and the communities and businesses we serve.”

He continued: “Our focus remains on staying available for the union to reach an agreement. We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn’t accepted.”

Following CUPE’s announcement that its members were on strike, the federal Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Patty Hajdu released a statement on X, writing: “This is a disappointing development. A strike or lockout does not mean an agreement can’t be reached; the expectation is that parties can and should come to an agreement at the bargaining table.” ( https://x.com/PattyHajdu/status/2083798697767215346 )

Minister Hajdu also indicated that: “Our top mediators have been working with both CUPE and WestJet around the clock and remain available to help them reach a deal as soon as possible.”

What’s on the table

WestJet has also released details of its offer to the union representing its cabin crew.

Calling it “transformational,” the company said that it “put forward changes in several key areas in an effort to reach an agreement and avoid work stoppage.”

And it said that: “WestJet recognizes the decision for Cabin Crew to strike is not an easy one. Given this, it’s important to be clear about what was offered, what was not accepted, and what is leading to 250,000 guests whose August long weekend travel is cancelled, with further flights to follow, depending on the duration of the work stoppage.”

Details of the proposal include 

Wage increases across the board:

Effective October 1, 2026
13.0% increase

Effective January 1, 2027
2.5% increase

Effective January 1, 2028
2.5% increase

Effective January 1, 2029
2.5% increase

• Retroactive wage payment to January 1, 2026
• NEW Duty pay premium – a payment for all duty hours (additional pay for all hours worked designed to solve the union’s claim of unpaid work), equivalent to another 12% of salary increase
• Healthcare Spending Account: $300 in health spending per year
• Significant increase in per diem (meal allowance) rates: increase of 13% in 2026, and 2.5% every year thereafter
• Fifth week of vacation at 25 years of service
• Maternity leave top-up to 17 weeks postpartum
• New flexible part-time program (reduced block)
• Significant scheduling and quality-of-life improvements: one additional hour of rest at home base; increase to minimum rest away from base of one hour; out of base partial shift trades
• Premium payment when reassigned to an uncovered flight in a base
• Reduced duty day maximum when working three legs or more
• Payment when crew are faced with a delay accessing a hotel room on a layover

For more, go to https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/get-travel-ready/advisories or check out https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/media/cabin-crew-compensation-explained