WestJet’s flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with an overwhelming 90.2 percent vote in favor. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the members’ strong support reflects the significant progress achieved during negotiations. This marks the second contract for the union, with key advancements ensuring fair compensation for additional duties performed by members.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees disclosed that the agreement entails an impressive 18 percent wage increase spread over three years, along with compensation for ground-based work. The new contract stipulates a 13 percent salary bump in October, followed by a 2.75 percent raise in January and a further 2.5 percent increment in early 2028. WestJet has not issued a formal response to the development.
Negotiations had been ongoing since January, focusing on wage adjustments and disputes regarding unpaid ground tasks. The union had persistently raised concerns about uncompensated work during off-flight hours, contrasting WestJet’s stance that all tasks are remunerated through a credit hour system instead of hourly wages. Effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028, the new three-year agreement reflects the culmination of challenging talks, particularly concerning boarding compensation, which led to a brief strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month.
Following the resolution, WestJet’s flight operations gradually resumed normalcy after encountering over 900 flight cancellations during the peak summer travel season. The aviation sector in Canada has experienced turbulence due to labor disputes in recent years, with strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics causing disruptions at the country’s major airlines. WestJet manages a robust flight schedule, with over 600 daily flights serving more than 70,000 passengers on certain days.