WestJet’s 4,400 flight attendants commenced a strike early on Sunday, August 2, 2026, leading to the suspension of all mainline flights from Regina and Saskatoon airports. The strike took effect following the expiration of WestJet’s collective agreement on December 31, 2025, and unsuccessful contract negotiations with CUPE Local 8125.
On August 2, multiple flights from Regina International Airport to Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver and Calgary were cancelled. Saskatoon International Airport saw cancellation of flights to Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Despite cancellations, WestJet Encore flights continued operating at both airports, though passengers were advised to verify full itineraries due to
potential disruptions connecting with mainline flights.
Union Pickets and Airport Impact
CUPE Local 8125 members along with CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson picketed at Saskatoon International Airport on the strike’s first day. According to Peterson, CUPE members had been operating without a collective agreement for over 200 days. He criticized WestJet for not compensating workers for all time spent working, saying, “Every worker should be paid for every second they are at work, and unfortunately that is just not the case for WestJet’s cabin crew.”
Regina International Airport CEO James Bogusz estimated the strike removed roughly 600 to 700 seats from the market at Regina
just on August 2. He noted that WestJet represents approximately 60 percent of total seat capacity at Regina International Airport, making the disruptions larger than those from the 2025 Air Canada flight attendant strike. Bogusz confirmed extra security staff were deployed to direct passengers toward WestJet counters amid cancellations.
Passenger Experiences on August 2
Passengers faced extensive disruptions and difficulties rebooking. Jarod Eagles, stranded at Regina while trying to reach Phoenix, said his WestJet Encore flight from Regina to Calgary operated but his Calgary-to-Phoenix connection was cancelled. Eagles expressed frustration over limited alternatives and costs associated with last-minute rebooking. He said, “What’s the point of
getting to Calgary if I have no other option?” and described long waits and uncertainty, adding, “I’m trying to get to a place where I can see my kids again.”
Other passengers at Regina included Mary Magnuson, who was headed to Minneapolis and experienced initial nervousness over cancellations but remained optimistic, noting, “We can always rent a car and drive.” Charlie Stierheim, traveling to Minneapolis before continuing to Pittsburgh, observed longer check-in lines and cancellations but said, “Whatever’s going to happen is going to happen. It’s the life of travel these days.”
Passengers endured customer service wait times reaching up
to seven hours, while WestJet promised refunds or re-accommodation options for affected travelers.
WestJet Offer and Bargaining Status
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech detailed the latest company contract offer that included a 13 percent wage increase starting October 2026 with retroactive pay back to January 1, 2026. Additional components involved a 12 percent duty pay premium, immediate 13 percent increase in per diem, $300 annual health care spending accounts, expanded vacation benefits, and a 17-week postpartum maternity leave top-up. Scheduling improvements proposed include reduced maximum duty days and extra compensation for reassignments and layover delays.
Negotiations remained ongoing in Calgary prior to the strike. WestJet
issued a 72-hour lockout notice on August 1, the same day CUPE announced the strike. CUPE Local 8125 president Alia Hussain stated the strike occurred because the union believes members deserve better compensation, emphasizing unresolved issues related to unpaid ground work and urging the government to allow bargaining to proceed without intervention.
Official Statements and Government Reaction
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech expressed disappointment over the strike and reaffirmed commitment to being available for further negotiations. He highlighted that WestJet’s offer would have set new standards for cabin crew compensation in Canada.
Regina International Airport CEO James Bogusz described the significant seat capacity lost due
to cancellations, noting the impact is greater than the 2025 Air Canada strike. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu conveyed disappointment over the failure to reach an agreement and emphasized that the strongest deals occur at the bargaining table, stopping short of detailing any government intervention plans.
Industry Context and Previous Disputes
WestJet normally operates over 600 flights daily, especially busy during summer long weekends, carrying thousands of passengers. The strike’s effect on seat capacity at Regina exceeds the impact of the Air Canada flight attendant work stoppage in 2025.
The contract dispute centers around wage rates and compensation for unpaid work conducted on the ground, mirroring
issues that triggered the Air Canada strike last year. The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has historically intervened in airline strikes, including ordering workers back to work in 2025 after the Air Canada strike, which the union defied before reaching a negotiated agreement.
