WestJet Flight Attendants Issue Strike Notice, Airline Responds with Lockout

Published July 31, 2026 at 12:32 PM UTC

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Key Points

WestJet flight attendants issue 72-hour strike notice over unpaid ground duties
CUPE represents 4,400 cabin crew members seeking contract recognition for ground work
WestJet argues ground tasks are compensated under a 'credit hour' system
Potential strike could disrupt tens of thousands of travelers during August long weekend

Background History

CUPE 8125 represents approximately 4,400 cabin personnel at WestJet mainline. Since serving notice to bargain last September, the union and WestJet have met multiple times each month in an effort to reach a new collective agreement. At the centre of the dispute is a growing gap between the work flight attendants are required to perform and the outdated system that determines how that work is compensated. Flight attendants are responsible for passenger safety from the moment they report for duty, yet significant portions of that time are not fully compensated under the current system. On average, flight attendants work 35 hours every month unpaid.

WestJet flight attendants have issued a 72-hour strike notice, potentially disrupting travel during the upcoming August long weekend. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) represents approximately 4,400 cabin crew members at WestJet. The union is seeking a contract that acknowledges the value of ground duties, which they claim are unpaid. WestJet argues that these tasks are compensated under a "credit hour" system rather than through hourly pay. Both parties are continuing negotiations to avoid disruption. If no agreement is reached, the strike could affect tens of thousands of travelers, as WestJet operates over 600 flights per day, carrying approximately 75,000 passengers. However, regional WestJet Encore and Delta-operated code-share flights would not be affected. The timing of the strike mirrors similar tactics used in last summer’s Air Canada strike and appears intended to maximize bargaining power during high travel demand.