WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with an overwhelming 90.2 percent vote in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the members’ strong endorsement acknowledges the significant progress achieved during negotiations.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees announced that the agreement encompasses an increase in wages exceeding 18 percent over a three-year period, along with additional compensation for ground-related duties. The contract outlines a 13 percent salary boost in October, followed by a 2.75 percent raise in January and a further 2.5 percent increase at the beginning of 2028.
The negotiation process, which commenced in January, involved contentious discussions on wage hikes and the resolution of disputes regarding unpaid ground tasks by cabin crews. The union had persistently highlighted the issue of uncompensated off-flight duties, contrasting with WestJet’s stance that all responsibilities are adequately acknowledged through a credit hour system rather than hourly wages.
Effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028, the new three-year agreement materialized after intense deliberations, particularly concerning boarding compensation, which led to a one-day strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month. Following the strike, WestJet’s flight operations gradually resumed after facing over 900 cancellations during the peak summer travel season.
The aviation sector has witnessed a series of labor disputes in recent years, with strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics causing temporary operational disruptions at the nation’s major airlines. WestJet, known for operating more than 600 daily flights and transporting over 70,000 passengers on certain days, is now poised to move forward with the ratified collective agreement.