Thousands of WestJet flight attendants have handed their union a strike mandate, which could lead to disruptions over the August long weekend.
“Following a 21-day cooling-off period, cabin crew could go on strike as early as August 2, 2026,” reads a news release from CUPE 8125, the union representing 4,400 attendants.
Turnout was 97.3 per cent, and 99.4 per cent of voting members were in favour of the mandate, which authorizes their union to enact a strike.
“The members of CUPE 8125 are united and determined. They voted to strike because they stand behind the bargaining priorities that they have identified, especially pay for all hours of work performed.
“WestJet should do the right thing and prevent travel disruptions for their passengers,” reads a quote from union local president Alia Hussain included in the release.
The union has said wages, unpaid work and working conditions remain the main sticking points in negotiations. It also claims flight attendants perform an average of 35 hours of unpaid work each month under WestJet’s flight credit system, and argues wages are not keeping pace with inflation.
“We’re here to tell the company that the archaic and exploitive flight credit system that the company currently uses does not compensate us appropriately for our contributions to this organization’s success,” Hussain said.
WestJet chief executive Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline is determined to reach an agreement.
“Our focus is at the table where we work with the union to come up with a contract that makes sense for our flight attendants,” he said.
“And we need a contract that works for WestJet and between those two, I am confident we will find an outcome that works for everyone.”
The dispute comes as Canadians head into the busiest travel season of the year, following a series of high-profile airline labour disputes last summer.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Hussain said “the last thing we want to do is go on strike,” but added that WestJet has not yet provided an offer that addresses the desires of union workers.
The union has achieved its strike mandate nearly one year after the federal government quashed another high-profile airline dispute. In August 2025, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered Air Canada and its workers’ union to begin binding arbitration the same day attendants launched their strike.
On Wednesday, Hussain said the prospect of a similar intervention troubles her.
“I’m deeply concerned about that, and I hope that the government recognizes that they should not be intervening when workers come to the table and bargain under the code.”
Effects on the industry
John Gradek, an aviation expert and lecturer at McGill University, said WestJet flight attendants are seeking gains similar to those secured by cabin crews at Air Canada and Air Transat.
“Air Transat flight attendants, Air Canada flight attendants got some significant increases. And they got recognition for some of the work that they do that was previously unpaid,” Gradek said. “The union and WestJet flight attendants are saying, ‘Listen, we have to catch up.’”
If the dispute leads to a strike, Gradek said the consequences would extend well beyond the airline.
“It is disruptive. And it will cause a lot of grief in the industry,” he said. “So, the pressure is on WestJet. Come to the table, negotiate, and come up with a compromise solution.”
He estimates a full shutdown could disrupt travel for between 70,000 and 75,000 WestJet passengers each day.
What if your flight is cancelled?
Travellers whose flights are cancelled before a strike begins may have stronger protections under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, said air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs.
“If you are stranded or if you are about to travel and your flight is cancelled, you have every right to be booked on a competitor airline if WestJet is unable to rebook you on its own or partner airlines,” Lukacs said.
Despite the strike vote, Hussain said flight attendants hope a walkout can be avoided.
“It’s not something flight attendants want,” she said. “It’s absolutely the last thing we want to do to our passengers, our guests, to interrupt their travel plans.”
The view from the airport
Passengers CTV News spoke with at Vancouver International Airport on Wednesday say they sided with the union.
“People need to be treated fairly especially in an organized environment, the company needs to deal with that.” said Shawn Markey, who suggested passengers should be prepared with a plan B.
That sentiment was shared by Lyssa Horyn, who was also flying out of Vancouver with WestJet Thursday. “It sucks for travellers for sure. But I mean there’s also other airlines they could book with.”
Hope remains for summer travellers, since a potential work stoppage grounding WestJet planes could be short-lived. The strike by Air Canada flight attendants last August ended after only two days following a federal back to work order.
