WestJet has announced that its flight attendants have gone on strike.
In anticipation of the strike, the airline had been gradually suspending operations since July 31. Affected passengers will be offered refunds or accommodation arrangements, depending on the circumstances.
WestJet had proposed a 13% pay increase for flight attendants retroactive to January this year, followed by annual increases of 2.5% from 2027 through 2029. Per diem allowances would also increase by the same rate. Other proposals included a new duty allowance, five weeks of vacation after 25 years of service, an extension of maternity leave to up to 17 weeks after childbirth, a flexible reduced-hours work program, and improvements to work schedules. The collective agreement expired at the end of 2025.
The union, CUPE, said that 99% of members voted in favor of strike action. It argues that the current pay structure covers only the time from departure to arrival and excludes ground duties, resulting in as much as 35 hours of unpaid work per month.
According to WestJet, the proposed pay is higher and includes compensation for ground duties. One “unit hour” from departure to arrival corresponds to 1.5 hours of actual time. Current hourly pay per unit hour ranges from CAD 28.45 to CAD 53.61, and from CAD 37.54 to CAD 69.69 for wide-body aircraft.
