The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125, representing 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice on July 30, 2026, signaling potential strike action starting at 2 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, August 2. The union is seeking contract improvements similar to those won by Air Canada’s flight attendants in a four-year agreement concluded last summer.
In reaction to the strike notice, WestJet sent a 72-hour lockout notice to its employees, effective Sunday. Both sides remain in negotiations with the union emphasizing ongoing around-the-clock bargaining efforts. Flight attendants demand expanded ground pay for time spent waiting on
the ground, matching terms in Air Canada’s agreement that includes progressive increases up to 80% of the hourly wage by the fourth year. WestJet disputes claims of unpaid work hours, highlighting its credit hour pay system that combines flight time, ground duties, delays, and required work into a single rate credited across the duty day.
The strike and lockout notices have raised concerns about travel disruptions across Canada, including plans for thousands of travelers during peak summer season. WestJet has not yet canceled flights as of July 30 evening, although data inaccuracies had suggested some cancellations. Air industry analysts expect
WestJet may preemptively cancel flights, especially on routes farther from Calgary, WestJet’s main hub, to avoid aircraft being stranded if strike action proceeds. Passengers affected by potential cancellations face limited options, as rebooking to earlier flights may not be feasible, impacting events such as weddings.
WestJet CEO Alexis Von Hoensbroech expressed regret over the lockout notice and union actions, stating: “The decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union, was not one that was made lightly. We sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests.” CUPE Local 8125
President Alia Hussain said, “We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal,” and emphasized that the strike notice does not mean attendants want to strike and that bargaining will continue until resolution. A spokesperson for federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu urged both sides to reach an agreement, commenting, “The federal government will always maintain that the strongest deals happen at the table. Canadians are experiencing uncertainty on many fronts, and they are counting on both parties to work together to reach a deal at the bargaining table.”
Labour experts
suggest the 72-hour strike notice is a procedural step signaling escalating frustration but does not guarantee a strike will occur. Stephanie Ross, a labour studies professor at McMaster University, stated that such notices often motivate more serious negotiations. Steven Tufts of York University noted the absence of hostile public exchanges may indicate proximity to a deal. Airline analyst John Gradek of McGill University indicated WestJet’s strategy to cancel flights preemptively, particularly on long-distance routes, aims to prevent aircraft being stranded overseas rather than signaling strike inevitability.
