WestJet flight attendants walked off the job on Sunday, August 2, 2026, leading to the cancellation of around 600 flights and affecting approximately 250,000 passengers, according to the airline and aviation data provider Cirium. The strike halted flights across Canada and several international destinations including the United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.
Background of Strike and Negotiation Timeline
Flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125 (CUPE 8125) issued a 72-hour strike notice that expired at 02:01 EST on August 2, 2026, following a 99% strike mandate vote last month. Contract talks with WestJet, which began in September 2025, had
not yielded an agreement by the strike deadline despite last-minute efforts by both sides to negotiate.
Pay Dispute Causes Work Stoppage
The core dispute centers on flight attendants’ compensation for pre-flight work known as ‘ground pay.’ WestJet pays its attendants based on block hours measured from gate departure to gate arrival. The union contends that attendants perform up to 35 unpaid hours monthly on duties before takeoff, including boarding passengers, safety inspections, assisting travelers, and delays on the ground.
WestJet offered a contract proposal featuring a 13% wage increase in 2026, 2.5% annual raises through 2029, and a 12% premium to compensate for unpaid work.
The airline maintains its pay system aligns with standard North American cabin crew models and asserts wages account for all work periods.
Impact on Flights and Passengers
Approximately 600 WestJet flights were cancelled by early Sunday morning, a figure corroborated by Cirium’s count of 615 cancellations mid-morning. The industrial action affected WestJet’s network within Canada and on international routes but excluded WestJet Encore flights on Q400 aircraft and WestJet codeshare flights.
WestJet has offered affected travelers options to receive full refunds or be rebooked on the next available flights at no cost, including on competitor airlines if necessary, in compliance with Canadian passenger rights. Passengers
were advised to verify flight statuses before traveling to airports. Reports indicated some passengers faced challenges reaching customer service and uncertainty over rescheduling.
Official Statements from Union, Airline, and Government
Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, said the union “has been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal” and stated members strike because they “believe we deserve better” while remaining ready to return to negotiations.
A WestJet representative said the airline “remains at the table and committed to achieving a negotiated tentative agreement that recognises the important contributions and professionalism of WestJet’s Cabin Crew.”
Canada’s Jobs Minister Patti
Hajdu described the strike as “a disappointing development” and urged both parties to continue negotiations, adding the expectation that a resolution can be reached at the bargaining table. Unlike last year’s intervention in the Air Canada strike, the government has not announced any direct involvement in the WestJet dispute.
WestJet’s Market Position During Strike
WestJet, majority-owned by Onex Corp and headquartered in Calgary, holds roughly a 30% share of Canada’s domestic air travel market. The airline operates more than 130 destinations including domestic and international routes. The strike coincides with one of the busiest summer holiday weekends in Canada, amplifying the disruption to widespread travel
plans across the country and beyond.
