Thousands of WestJet cabin crew members went on strike, triggering widespread travel disruptions and forcing Canada’s second-largest airline to cancel more than 300 flights.
The walkout, called by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representing roughly 4,400 flight attendants, began after last-minute contract negotiations broke down. The timing has created severe travel headaches across Canada in the middle of a busy three-day holiday weekend.
Ground Duty Pay at Heart of Conflict
The core of the labor dispute centers on compensation for duties performed while aircraft are on the ground. Union representatives argue that cabin crew are required to perform significant work before departure and after landing without direct hourly pay, leaving up to 35 hours per month uncompensated.
WestJet executives dispute that characterization. The airline maintains that cabin crew are fully compensated through a traditional “credit hour” pay structure standard across North American carriers, which accounts for ground duties within higher overall flying rates.
“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,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t accepted.”
Union leadership countered that the carrier’s final offer fell short of addressing their members’ core demands.
“We tried until the very last minute to get a fair deal that recognizes the value of the work cabin crews do,” said Alia Hussain, president of the union chapter representing the flight attendants. “WestJet’s offer did not go far enough.”
Massive Fleet Groundings and Passenger Impact
The strike has effectively grounded WestJet’s mainline operations, with the airline confirming it cannot operate scheduled flights on its Boeing 737 and 787 fleets. WestJet Encore flights operated on Q400 turboprop aircraft and partner codeshare flights remain unaffected.
With over 300 flights already grounded, thousands of travelers across Canada and international routes are left scrambling for alternative flights or emergency accommodations. The airline stated it is reaching out directly to affected passengers to offer refunds or alternative travel arrangements.
Both WestJet management and union representatives indicated they remain open to returning to the bargaining table to reach a resolution.
