WestJet flight attendants strike, canceling over 300 flights across Canada during long weekend

WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE 8125 went on strike on August 2, 2026, after contract negotiations collapsed over wages and unpaid ground work. The strike has grounded hundreds of flights, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers during a busy summer long weekend. While WestJet proposed a 20.5% wage increase and a 12% duty pay premium, the union rejected the offer as insufficient. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has urged both sides to negotiate, amid debate over potential government intervention.

WestJet flight attendants strike

• ▪WestJet flight attendants went on strike early on August 2, 2026, after contract negotiations between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees collapsed.
• ▪The Canadian Union of Public Employees 8125 represents approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants.
• ▪The 72-hour strike notice issued by the Canadian Union of Public Employees 8125 expired on August 2, 2026, at 02:01 EST.

Ground pay compensation dispute

• ▪WestJet pays cabin crew through a credit hour system, which the airline states includes compensation for work done before takeoff and after landing.
• ▪The Canadian Union of Public Employees 8125 states that WestJet flight attendants work up to 35 hours per month without pay for ground duties.
• ▪The strike centers on ground pay, which is compensation for flight attendants' duties performed before takeoff and after landing, such as boarding and safety sweeps.

Wage increase proposals

• ▪WestJet offered a 12 percent duty pay premium to address the union's claims regarding unpaid ground work.
• ▪WestJet proposed a contract offering a cumulative wage increase of 20.5 percent over four years, including a 13 percent increase effective October 2026.

Flight cancellations during long weekend

• ▪WestJet cancelled over 300 flights by Sunday, August 2, 2026, with the airline reporting 600 cancellations by Sunday morning.
• ▪WestJet Encore flights operated on De Havilland Dash Q400 aircraft and partner codeshare flights are not affected by the strike.

Passenger travel disruption

• ▪Air Canada is working with WestJet to accommodate displaced passengers where seats are available.
• ▪Canadian passenger laws require airlines to rebook stranded passengers on the next available flight, including on competitor airlines, or provide a full refund.

Government intervention debate

• ▪Canada's Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu expressed disappointment over the strike and urged both parties to continue negotiations.
• ▪The Canadian government can invoke Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to direct the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to hold binding arbitration.