WestJet cancelled over 270 flights across Canada on August 2, 2026, as 4,400 flight attendants began a strike early Sunday morning. Thousands of travelers were stranded during the busy August long weekend following the expiry of the previous contract on December 31, 2025, and failed negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125.
Background of Contract Dispute
Contract talks between WestJet and CUPE have been ongoing in Calgary since December 31, 2025. Key issues include wages and compensation for unpaid work performed on the ground by flight attendants. CUPE issued a 72-hour strike notice on July 30, 2026, after failing to
reach a new agreement.
WestJet’s Offer and Union Response
WestJet proposed a 13% wage increase starting October 2026, retroactive to January 1, a 12% duty pay premium, and a 13% immediate per diem hike. Additional terms included expanded vacation, a $300 annual health-care spending account, and a 17-week postpartum maternity leave top-up. The airline committed to becoming the only Canadian carrier paying hourly wages covering all pre- and post-flight ground time.
CUPE rejected the offer, citing unpaid work and insufficient wage increases. CUPE Local 8125 President Alia Hussain said, “We are on strike because we believe we deserve better. We are ready to go back
to the table to settle.”
Traveler Impact and Airline Response
WestJet urged passengers to check flight status and offered a one-time fee-free change or cancellation for travel between July 30 and August 4, 2026. Customer service wait times reached up to seven hours, as reported by travelers such as Lindsay Williams, who was delayed trying to rebook a flight to Cancun. Flight cancellations affected numerous routes from major Canadian airports including Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary.
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech stated, “We’re disappointed to be here; this directly impacts the travel plans of our guests, our WestJetters and the communities and businesses we
serve.” He affirmed the airline’s focus on negotiating a new contract.
Official Statements and Industry Context
Pascal Chan, Vice-President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, called the strike an “unwelcome turn of events,” disrupting travelers and businesses during one of the busiest periods of the year. The strike is the latest in a wave of labor disruptions involving Canadian flight attendants, following a 2025 Air Canada dispute over unpaid ground work.
Canada’s Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu expressed disappointment that an agreement wasn’t reached but refrained from confirming government intervention. WestJet operates over 600 daily flights carrying up to 70,000 passengers. The airline began canceling flights
starting July 30 to reduce passenger impact ahead of the strike.
