WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with an overwhelming 90.2 percent vote in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, describing it as a significant endorsement of the improvements secured during negotiations. It marks the second contract for the members, showcasing advancements such as enhanced compensation for their existing workload.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees disclosed that the agreement encompasses a substantial wage increase of over 18 percent spread over three years, in addition to introducing compensation for ground-related tasks. The contract stipulates a 13 percent wage boost in October, followed by increments of 2.75 percent in January and another 2.5 percent rise at the beginning of 2028.
Although the airline did not provide immediate comments, negotiations had been ongoing since January, primarily concerning wage adjustments and the dispute over unpaid ground duties by cabin crews. The union had persistently highlighted the issue of uncompensated off-air responsibilities, contrasting with WestJet’s stance of remunerating all duties through a credit hour system rather than an hourly wage.
Effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028, the new three-year agreement was reached following challenging discussions, notably regarding boarding pay, which culminated in a brief strike by around 4,400 cabin crew members earlier in the month. Subsequently, WestJet resumed its flight operations gradually after experiencing over 900 cancellations during the peak summer travel period.
The aviation sector has faced disruptions from various labor disputes in recent years, including strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics, causing temporary halts in operations at the country’s leading airlines. WestJet, known for operating more than 600 flights daily and transporting over 70,000 passengers on peak days, has now successfully navigated through the collective bargaining process with its flight attendants.