WestJet flight attendants began a strike on Sunday, August 2, disrupting travel during one of Canada’s busiest summer holiday weekends. The Calgary-based airline had cancelled 615 flights by Sunday, affecting about 250,000 passengers, as contract negotiations continued without an agreement.
The strike began at 2:01 a.m. Eastern Time after a 72-hour notice expired. WestJet had started parking aircraft and cancelling services on Friday to limit the number of passengers and crews stranded across its network.
Dispute Centres on Pay for Ground Duties
The labour dispute involves about 4,400 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125. Contract negotiations have continued since September 2025, with compensation for work performed before take-off and after landing remaining a central issue.
The union says flight attendants can perform up to 35 hours of unpaid work each month while boarding passengers, conducting safety checks, assisting travellers and managing ground delays. More than 99.4% of participating union members voted to authorise a strike in July.
WestJet says cabin crew are paid according to block hours, which begin when an aircraft leaves the departure gate and end when it reaches the arrival gate. The airline maintains that its wage structure accounts for duties performed while the aircraft is on the ground and reflects a common North American industry model.
The airline said its proposed agreement included a 13% wage increase in 2026, further annual increases through 2029 and an additional pay premium. The union rejected the offer, saying it did not provide adequate compensation for all hours worked.
Passengers Offered Rebooking or Refunds
WestJet said affected passengers would be rebooked or refunded where applicable. Travellers have been advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport through the airline’s official disruption update.
WestJet Encore services operated with Q400 aircraft and flights sold through codeshare partners are not expected to be affected. Other WestJet services may face further cancellations depending on how long the strike continues.
Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, airlines must provide alternative travel arrangements when flights are cancelled. Passengers whose revised itineraries no longer meet their needs may request a refund for the unused part of the booking and transportation back to their starting point when stranded during a connecting journey.
Passengers who cancel or make separate bookings before their flight is officially disrupted may have different rights. Eligibility for compensation also depends on whether the cancellation is considered within the airline’s control and whether it was required for safety.
Government Urges Continued Negotiations
Canada’s jobs minister, Patti Hajdu, called the strike disappointing and encouraged both sides to continue negotiating. She did not announce federal intervention, although government mediators remained involved in the talks.
WestJet said it remained committed to reaching a negotiated agreement that recognised the contributions of its cabin crew. The union’s strike notice said the parties remained far apart on several issues when the walkout was announced.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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