- WestJet flight attendants voted 99pc in favour of strike authorization.
- Ground pay remains a major point of contention.
- The union must give 72 hours’ notice before striking.
- A 21-day cooling-off period began on 12 July.
- The earliest strike date is 2 August 2026.
WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE 8125 have voted 99pc in favour of authorizing a strike if they are unable to reach a new contract. Ground pay remains a major point of contention after Air Canada flight attendants secured compensation for ground work that will climb to 70pc of their hourly rate for the hour before takeoff. Alia Hussain, union chair, stated the sticking point is unpaid work and how the wage is triggered.
The union must give 72 hours’ notice before going on strike, and with the end of the conciliation phase, a 21-day cooling-off period kicked off on 12 July. This means WestJet cabin crew could go on strike as soon as 2 August, during the long weekend in most of the country. Steven Tufts, labour professor at York University, stated if CUPE fails to spread the pattern of ground pay to other airlines, the Air Canada gains are put at risk.
Alia Hussain, union chair, shared, “The sticking point right now for us is unpaid work and how our wage is triggered.”
Steven Tufts, labour professor at York University, shared, “If CUPE fails to spread the pattern of ground pay to other airlines… the one at Air Canada is put at risk.”
