Unionized flight attendants at WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, are gearing up for a potential strike.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125, which represents the flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice on Thursday. The warning does not necessarily mean that the flight attendants will walk off the job, only that they could if a new labor agreement is not reached within the timeframe.
“We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal,” Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, said in a statement.
WestJet responded with a 72-hour lockout notice, which allows a company to close down workplaces. In Canada, lockouts are a typical response to union strike warnings.
“The decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union, was not one that was made lightly,” WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a news release. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests.”
Hoensbroech also said the company is committed to reaching a deal with the flight attendants and will “continue to work around the clock” on the matter.
WestJet and its flight attendants have been negotiating for a new labor contract for months. The current contract, which came into effect in 2021, became amendable at the end of 2025.
According to the CBC, WestJet leaders have acknowledged that some changes will be needed to keep the flight attendants’ pay ahead of inflation, but it is not clear if they will accept CUPE’s demand for a new pay model, which would provide compensation for duties and hours worked outside of flights. The airline has argued that it already pays for those extra hours with an above-standard “credit hour” system.
The membership of CUPE 8125 voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike earlier this month. But union leaders stressed that there is still time to avert a walkout.
“We will continue to bargain around the clock until this is resolved,” Hussain said. “We want a fair contract for our members that recognizes the value of flight attendants’ work and recognizes our position as employees of the second-largest carrier in Canada. We look forward to further discussions with WestJet at the table so we can resolve this before August 2.”
WestJet said it is already taking steps to manage the impact of a potential work stoppage, including continuing to offer flexible change and cancellation policies for travelers booked on flights between Wednesday and Aug. 4. If flight delays or cancellations occur, affected guests will be refunded or re-accommodated, the airline said.
