WestJet‘s cabin crew strike entered its second day on Monday, August 3, with the airline continuing to suspend all Boeing 737 and 787 operations as negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) remain deadlocked
Hundreds of flights have already been canceled, disrupting travel plans for an estimated 250,000 passengers during one of Canada’s busiest holiday weekends
The carrier said it made a final effort late Saturday night to avoid industrial action by improving its contract proposal, but the union rejected the offer
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline remained available to resume bargaining at any time
“We’re disappointed to be here. This directly impacts the travel plans of our guests, our WestJetters and the communities and businesses we serve,” he said
“We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada,making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one.“
WestJet is Canada largest low cost airline with a fleet close to 200 aircraft, connecting guests globally to over 100 destinations across North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe and Asia
WestJet newest proposals
A 13% wage increase effective October 1, 2026
Additional 2.5% annual wage increases in 2027, 2028 and 2029
Retroactive pay to January 1, 2026
A new duty pay premium covering all duty hours, equivalent to an additional 12% salary increase
A C$300 annual healthcare spending account
A 13% increase in meal allowances in 2026, followed by 2.5% annual increases
A fifth week of vacation after 25 years of service
A 17-week maternity leave top-up
A new flexible part-time work program
The dispute centers on cabin crew compensation for duties performed before takeoff and after landing. The union argues flight attendants should be paid from check-in until the end of their shift, rather than primarily for block time when the aircraft is moving. While WestJet’s latest proposal introduced additional duty-time compensation, CUPE said it still falls short of fairly recognizing all ground duties
Canada’s Labour Minister has urged both sides to continue negotiations, but as of Monday no agreement had been reached and further flight cancellations remained likely if the strike continues
WestJet said affected guests will receive refunds or be rebooked where possible. Customers who booked directly with the airline will be contacted by email, while those who booked through travel advisors or third-party platforms should contact their booking provider for assistance
The airline added that flights operated by WestJet Encore and partner airlines are continuing to operate normally
