WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with an overwhelming 90.2% vote in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the members’ strong support reflects the significant progress achieved during negotiations.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees announced that the agreement includes an 18% wage increase spread over three years, along with additional compensation for ground work. The contract outlines a 13% wage boost in October, followed by a 2.75% raise in January and a 2.5% increase at the beginning of 2028.
Following months of discussions starting in January, WestJet and the CUPE WestJet Component resolved disagreements over salary increments and compensation for off-flight duties. The union had persistently raised concerns about unpaid work during non-flying hours, while WestJet contended that all tasks are remunerated through a credit hour system rather than an hourly wage.
The newly agreed three-year deal will be effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028. The negotiations, particularly focused on boarding pay, saw a brief strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month, leading to disruptions in WestJet’s flight operations.
Despite facing challenges, WestJet gradually restored its flight schedule following over 900 cancellations during the busy summer travel season. The aviation industry has witnessed labor disputes in recent years, with strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics causing disruptions at major airlines in the country.
With a daily operation of more than 600 flights and transporting over 70,000 passengers on certain days, WestJet continues to play a significant role in the Canadian aviation sector.
