WestJet and CUPE Reach Deal to End Flight Attendant Strike

Approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125, launched a nationwide strike on August 2, 2026. The walkout centered on demands for compensation for unpaid ground duties—such as boarding and safety checks—and inflation-adjusted wages. In response to the strike, WestJet issued a lockout notice and suspended most flights, canceling between 300 and 615 flights depending on the source. This disruption affected an estimated 250,000 travelers during a busy Canadian long weekend.

To avert the strike, WestJet initially offered a 13 percent wage increase and a duty pay premium, which union leadership rejected as insufficient. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu expressed disappointment over the stoppage but maintained that the strongest deals happen at the bargaining table, despite pressure from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for government intervention.

On August 3 and 4, the parties reached a tentative agreement that recognizes more of the cabin crew's required work and provides general compensation increases. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech described the deal as transformative for the industry and sustainable for the company. While the agreement awaits a ratification vote from union members, flight attendants returned to work and flights resumed on August 4. The airline is currently working to reposition aircraft and crews to restore normal operations after significant disruptions at hubs including Toronto Pearson and Winnipeg Richardson International airports.