OTTAWA- Thousands of flight attendants at WestJet (WS) could begin strike action as early as Sunday, potentially disrupting flights during Canada’s busy August long weekend.
The labor dispute has raised concerns for travelers booked on one of the airline’s more than 700 daily flights across Canada and international destinations.
The Calgary-based carrier operates nearly 200 aircraft serving over 30 countries and more than 30 Canadian airports.
Passengers traveling through major gateways such as Calgary International Airport (YYC), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) are being advised to monitor their flight status as negotiations continue between the airline and its cabin crew union.
WestJet Flight Attendant Strike Timeline
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125, representing approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, secured an overwhelming strike mandate earlier this month.
According to the union, 99.4% of members voted in favor of authorizing strike action, with a turnout of 97.3%.
The legal 21-day cooling-off period ends on Sunday, making strike action possible if negotiations fail to produce a new collective agreement. However, both the union and WestJet have emphasized that a strike is not inevitable and discussions remain ongoing.
Contract negotiations began in September 2025 after the previous agreement expired in December. Federal conciliators joined the bargaining process in May following a formal notice of dispute.
Pay Dispute at WestJet
The central issue remains compensation for work performed outside scheduled flight time. The union argues that flight attendants complete an average of 35 unpaid hours every month under what it describes as an outdated pay structure.
CUPE says its primary objective is to reach a negotiated settlement while minimizing disruption for passengers.
Union leadership maintains that members are seeking compensation for all hours worked, including duties performed on the ground before and after flights.
WestJet, meanwhile, says it remains committed to reaching a fair agreement that recognizes the professionalism of its cabin crew while ensuring the airline remains competitive and financially sustainable.
Company executives have repeatedly noted that a strike authorization vote is a standard part of the collective bargaining process and does not automatically lead to a work stoppage.
The airline also reported progress in negotiations, with dozens of contract articles already agreed upon and several others still under discussion, CTV News flagged.
What Options do WestJet Passengers Have?
To reduce uncertainty for customers, WestJet is allowing passengers booked to travel between July 30 and August 4 to make a one-time itinerary change or cancel their reservation without additional fees if they choose not to travel during the potential disruption period.
If a strike results in flight cancellations, the airline has indicated such disruptions would be classified as circumstances outside its control, meaning passengers would generally not qualify for compensation under Canadian air passenger protection rules.
The situation echoes last year’s three-day Air Canada (AC) flight attendant strike, which disrupted thousands of journeys and required more than a week for the airline’s network to fully recover.
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