WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE Local 8125 initiated a strike early on August 2, 2026, halting all WestJet mainline flights at Regina International Airport and Saskatoon International Airport following unsuccessful contract negotiations. The strike involved 4,400 union members and led to widespread cancellations of flights on key routes from Regina and Saskatoon.
Flight Cancellations and Seat Capacity Loss in Saskatchewan
At Regina International Airport, cancellations affected flights to Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver, and Calgary, with all Boeing 737 aircraft flights grounded. Saskatoon experienced cancellations on routes to Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. The strike resulted in the removal of approximately 600 to 700 seats from Regina’s
air-service market on August 2, 2026. Regina International Airport CEO James Bogusz stated that WestJet accounts for around 60% of total seat capacity at the airport and that the impact of the strike surpasses the effect of the 2025 Air Canada flight attendant strike.
Passenger Experiences Amid Flight Disruptions
Passengers faced significant travel disruptions with numerous connecting flights cancelled. For instance, Jarod Eagles, traveling from Regina to Phoenix, found his connecting flight from Calgary cancelled despite his initial WestJet Encore flight operating normally. Eagles expressed frustration about extended layovers and increased costs for last-minute rebooking. Other passengers, including those stranded overnight at Toronto airport like
Carissa Fontaine and Karissa Sehn, reported difficulties with customer service and delays. Wait times to reach WestJet customer service extended up to seven hours for some customers.
Contract Negotiations and Union Response
WestJet presented a revised contract proposal hours after the strike began, offering a 13% wage increase effective October 2026 with retroactive pay back to January 1, 2026. The offer also included a 12% duty pay premium, a 13% increase in per diem rates, $300 annual health care spending accounts, expanded vacation, and maternity leave top-ups of 17 weeks. Despite these terms, CUPE Local 8125 president Alia Hussain rejected the proposal as insufficient, emphasizing
unpaid work as a major unresolved issue. CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson, present at the Saskatoon picket line, highlighted that members had been without a collective agreement for over 200 days and that compensation for all time worked remains central to union demands.
Operational Status and Ongoing Disruptions
WestJet Encore flights continued to operate normally amid the strike, while other airlines such as Air Canada and United Airlines maintained service at Regina and Saskatoon airports. The airports deployed extra security personnel to assist affected passengers at WestJet counters. Regina International Airport CEO James Bogusz warned that even after labor talks conclude, the resumption of WestJet’s
full mainline network would require additional time to restart operations. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech expressed disappointment over the strike and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to reach an agreement, noting the company’s latest proposal includes new hourly rates covering all working time alongside wage increases.
The strike coincided with a busy summer travel weekend and a statutory long weekend across much of Canada, impacting a day when WestJet typically operates more than 600 flights daily, carrying over 70,000 passengers. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu expressed disappointment that no agreement was reached to avert the disruption but reiterated that strong collective agreements
are achieved through bargaining.
