WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with an overwhelming 90.2% vote in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the members provided strong support for the agreement and acknowledged the significant progress achieved during negotiations.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees announced that the agreement entails an increase in wages exceeding 18% over three years, along with additional compensation for ground-related duties. The contract stipulates a 13% wage boost in October, followed by a 2.75% raise in January and a further 2.5% increment at the beginning of 2028.
Following months of negotiations starting in January, WestJet and the CUPE WestJet Component resolved disagreements over salary hikes and compensation for ground work. The union had persistently raised concerns about unpaid ground duties, contrasting WestJet’s perspective that all tasks are adequately compensated through a credit hour system rather than hourly wages.
The newly ratified three-year agreement is effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028. The negotiation process, marked by challenges, notably centered on boarding pay and led to a brief strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier in the month. Subsequently, WestJet’s flight operations gradually normalized after experiencing over 900 flight cancellations during the peak summer travel season.
The aviation industry in Canada has witnessed several labor disputes in recent years, including strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics, causing disruptions to the operations of the country’s major airlines. WestJet, which operates a substantial daily flight volume, serving over 70,000 passengers on certain days, is navigating the aftermath of the recent labor agreement ratification.