WestJet’s flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with an overwhelming 90.2 percent vote in favor. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the significant progress achieved during negotiations. The deal, which marks the second contract for the union, secures improved compensation for members’ existing duties, including ground work payments.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees disclosed that the agreement entails an impressive wage increase of over 18 percent spread across three years, along with additional compensation for ground-related tasks. The ratified contract stipulates a 13 percent pay raise in October, followed by incremental hikes of 2.75 percent in January and a further 2.5 percent at the beginning of 2028.
Despite requests for comments, WestJet has not yet responded to the news. Discussions on the contract commenced in January and were characterized by disagreements between WestJet and the CUPE WestJet Component, particularly concerning salary increments and the compensation for ground duties performed by cabin crews.
The union had persistently raised concerns about unpaid work during non-flight hours, while WestJet maintained that all responsibilities were adequately compensated through a credit hour system rather than an hourly wage. The newly inked three-year agreement is effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028, following arduous negotiations that included contentious points like boarding pay, leading to a brief strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month.
Following the disruption, WestJet’s flight operations gradually normalized after experiencing over 900 flight cancellations during the peak summer travel season. The aviation sector has witnessed a wave of labor disputes in recent years, with both Air Canada and WestJet facing strikes that temporarily halted operations at Canada’s major airlines. WestJet, known for operating more than 600 daily flights and transporting over 70,000 passengers on busy days, has successfully navigated through this challenging period.
