Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
More than 4,000 WestJet flight attendants have voted in favour of a strike that could delay or ground flights on the August long weekend during peak summer travel season.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125 announced the results of the vote Wednesday: 99.4 per cent voted in favour of a strike.
The union held the vote after months of negotiations as the airline failed to move the needle on a key issue: ground pay for flight attendants.
Based on the vote result, flight attendants could legally walk off the job as early as Aug. 2. The union will still have to give WestJet 72 hours notice if they do intend to launch a strike.
WestJet flight attendants only get compensated when the plane is in the air; they do not get paid for work they do in the airport or on the plane before it departs. They also do not get paid for work done after the plane lands.
WestJet chief executive officer Alexis von Hoensbroech noted, in a statement, that a strike authorization vote is a common step by unions in labour negotiations and does not necessarily mean a strike will occur.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to reach a meaningful agreement with CUPE,” he said. #WestJet #AirTravel #Canada
More than 4,000 WestJet flight attendants have voted in favour of a strike that could delay or ground flights on the August long weekend during peak summer travel season.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125 announced the results of the vote Wednesday: 99.4 per cent voted in favour of a strike.
The union held the vote after months of negotiations as the airline failed to move the needle on a key issue: ground pay for flight attendants.
Based on the vote result, flight attendants could legally walk off the job as early as Aug. 2. The union will still have to give WestJet 72 hours notice if they do intend to launch a strike.
WestJet flight attendants only get compensated when the plane is in the air; they do not get paid for work they do in the airport or on the plane before it departs. They also do not get paid for work done after the plane lands.
WestJet chief executive officer Alexis von Hoensbroech noted, in a statement, that a strike authorization vote is a common step by unions in labour negotiations and does not necessarily mean a strike will occur.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to reach a meaningful agreement with CUPE,” he said. #WestJet #AirTravel #Canada
