WestJet strike ends after tentative deal reached

WestJet flight attendants are no longer on strike after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 8125 and the airline reached a tentative agreement early Monday. The union announced the end of the strike and the cessation of all picketing activities.

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As of 4:15am on August 3, we are no longer on strike as we have reached a tentative agreement with the Company.

"We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that reflects the hard work and professionalism our cabin crew," said WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech. The agreement comes after CUPE members went on strike just after midnight Sunday when last-minute talks failed. The union had issued strike notice earlier in the week, with the company responding with lockout notice.

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All picketing activities must cease effective immediately.

The central issue in the dispute was compensation for ground work, such as boarding passengers, completing safety checks, and managing delays. While neither side released specific details of the agreement, WestJet had previously outlined an offer. This offer included a 13 percent pay increase effective Oct. 1 and retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, followed by annual 2.5 percent increases until 2029. The airline also proposed a "duty pay premium," which it defined as additional pay for all duty hours, aiming to address the union's claim of unpaid work. WestJet estimated this premium to be equivalent to an additional 12 percent salary increase.

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We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that reflects the hard work and professionalism our cabin crew.

During the strike, WestJet had suspended all of its 737 and 787 flights starting Sunday, with a potential extension beyond August 5. The company acknowledged the disruption caused to guests and employees, apologizing for the inconvenience. "Our teams are working hard to restore service and get our guests on their way to their destinations as quickly as possible and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we get back to normal," von Hoensbroech stated. However, resuming a full flight schedule will take time due to safety regulations and operational procedures, according to Ian Lee, a management professor at Carleton University's Sprott School of Business. The tentative agreement still requires a vote by CUPE members.

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We know this disruption has been frustrating for our guests and WestJetters and we’re sorry for that.