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, emphasizing the significant progress achieved during negotiations.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees announced that the agreement entails an 18% wage increase spread over three years, along with additional compensation for ground-based work. The contract stipulates a 13% wage boost in October, followed by 2.75% in January and a 2.5% raise in early 2028.
Negotiations between WestJet and CUPE WestJet Component, which commenced in January, primarily revolved around wage adjustments and the cabin crews’ concerns regarding unpaid ground duties. The union had persistently raised issues about uncompensated non-flight tasks, contrasting with WestJet’s view that all responsibilities are adequately accounted for through a credit hour system.
The newly inked three-year agreement is effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028. The resolution of contentious issues, particularly pertaining to boarding pay, followed intense discussions that led to a brief strike by around 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month.
Following the resolution, WestJet’s flight operations gradually resumed normalcy after facing over 900 flight cancellations during the peak summer travel season. The aviation sector has witnessed labor disputes in recent years, including strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics, causing disruptions in the operations of the country’s major airlines.
WestJet, known for operating more than 600 daily flights and serving over 70,000 passengers on certain days, did not provide an immediate comment on the ratified agreement.