WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with a resounding 90.2 percent vote in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting the significant progress achieved during negotiations.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees highlighted key aspects of the agreement, including an over 18 percent salary increase spread over three years and additional compensation for ground duties. The terms of the contract entail a 13 percent wage boost in October, followed by increments of 2.75 percent in January and 2.5 percent at the beginning of 2028.
Following months of discussions starting in January, WestJet and the CUPE WestJet Component resolved disagreements surrounding salary adjustments and claims of unpaid ground tasks by cabin crew members. The union had raised concerns about uncompensated work performed during non-flight hours, while WestJet argued that all responsibilities were accounted for under a credit hour system.
Effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028, the new three-year agreement signifies a significant milestone after challenging negotiations, particularly concerning boarding pay, which led to a brief strike involving approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier in the month.
Subsequently, WestJet’s flight operations gradually normalized following a period of disruption that resulted in over 900 flight cancellations during the peak summer travel season. The aviation sector has witnessed a series of labor disputes in recent years, including strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics, impacting the operations of Canada’s major airlines.
With a daily operation exceeding 600 flights and serving more than 70,000 passengers at times, WestJet remains a key player in the aviation industry.
