Thousands of Canadian travelers may need to reconsider their plans for the upcoming August long weekend as WestJet flight attendants have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike, with a 99.4 percent approval rate. The vote results were confirmed on Wednesday morning, paving the way for approximately 4,400 union members represented by CUPE Local 8125 to potentially go on strike on August 2. Flight attendants from WestJet’s mainline operations could walk off the job on this date, just ahead of a statutory holiday in several provinces.
Should a strike occur, it would effectively ground WestJet, the second-largest airline in Canada. Additionally, WestJet has the option to lock out flight attendants on August 2, regardless of the strike mandate, as a federal “cooling off” period would have expired by then. Both parties are required to give a 72-hour notice before any job action, meaning Canadians might have to wait until the end of the month to ascertain the status of their August flights.
Negotiations between WestJet and the unionized flight attendants for mainline flights have been ongoing since late 2025. The previous contract between the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the airline was valid from March 1, 2021, until the end of the previous year. WestJet’s CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, acknowledged that the age of the previous contract might necessitate significant improvements in a new deal.
Flight attendants at WestJet are paid based on a set amount of “credit hours” that can vary depending on the flight’s duration. The airline argues that the “credit hour” wage is higher to compensate for additional duties during what may appear to be unpaid hours. However, the union contests this method, claiming that an average of 35 hours per month go uncompensated for tasks such as passenger assistance and ground delays.
While the union and the airline are still at odds regarding various negotiation points, including schedules and wage levels, they have managed to agree on 32 collective agreement items, with 35 articles still under discussion. WestJet emphasized that a strike vote is a routine step during negotiations and does not guarantee an actual strike will take place. The airline remains committed to reaching an agreement with the union to avoid disruptions for passengers.
In the event of a strike or lockout, WestJet assured the public that discussions are ongoing with the union to reach a resolution. The airline last faced a significant labor dispute in the summer of 2024 when unionized airline mechanics went on strike during the Canada Day long weekend, impacting numerous travelers.