WestJet Resumes Operations Following Landmark Agreement with Cabin Crew
Canada’s second-largest airline, WestJet, has successfully negotiated a tentative agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). This agreement marks the end of a disruptive strike by around 4,400 flight attendants, which grounded numerous flights and left thousands of passengers stranded during a peak summer weekend.
The tentative deal was reached on August 3, 2026, after intensive overnight negotiations in Calgary involving federal mediators. The strike had commenced at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time on August 2, following a 72-hour notice issued by CUPE. As reported by Reuters, the disruption led to the cancellation of more than 600 flights, impacting approximately 250,000 passengers.
The core of the dispute revolved around compensation for ground-based duties. These duties include boarding passengers, conducting safety presentations, and managing delays. The cabin crew argued that this work had long been overlooked. The new tentative agreement introduces a duty period premium that acknowledges these responsibilities, in addition to general compensation increases.
“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that reflects the hard work and professionalism of our cabin crew,” stated WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech.
The deal is now set to undergo a ratification vote among WestJet cabin crew members. In a gesture of goodwill, the airline is offering free changes and full refunds to passengers affected during the July 30–August 6 travel window.
Source: CBC News – WestJet, CUPE reach tentative deal to end flight attendants’ strike