WestJet Cabin Crew Strike Concludes: Tentative Agreement Reached
WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, has successfully reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). This agreement marks the end of a cabin crew strike that led to widespread travel disruption during one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer. Announced on August 3, 2026, the deal covers approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, bringing an immediate halt to both the strike and lockout notices.
The work stoppage had its inception in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, following 11 months of unsuccessful negotiations for a contract. The core of the dispute revolved around WestJet’s credit-hour pay model. Under this model, cabin crew were primarily compensated for the time the aircraft was in motion, leaving boarding, deplaning, delays, and pre-flight safety checks unpaid. The newly introduced tentative agreement includes a duty period premium that acknowledges more of the ground-based work, in addition to general pay increases.
The strike led to the grounding of the majority of WestJet’s network. Cirium data reveals that more than 300 flights — approximately 62% of the day’s schedule — were cancelled on Monday alone. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers, stating that the airline is working diligently to restore full service. The agreement, however, still requires ratification by CUPE members to become official.
In its 30th year of operation, WestJet operates over 600 daily flights and serves more than 100 destinations across the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
Source: CP24 – WestJet, CUPE reach tentative agreement, ending operational disruptions