Archive · 3 Aug 2026
WestJet Flight Attendants Strike Over Pay, Hundreds Cancelled
WestJet is a big Canadian airline.
Some of its flight attendants, about 4,400 people, decided to stop working because they think they are not paid enough for the work they do before a flight starts.
This is called a strike.
Because of the strike, many WestJet flights were cancelled, and about 250,000 people who were supposed to travel had to change their plans.
WestJet offered the attendants a 13% raise this year and a 12% extra pay for all the hours they work, but the union says it is still not enough.
The union wants to be paid for every hour they are on duty, not just when the plane is flying.
The Canadian government said the strike is disappointing but that the parties can still talk and reach an agreement.
The strike happened during a busy summer holiday weekend, so it caused a lot of inconvenience for travellers.
4,400 WestJet cabin crew walked off the job over unpaid ground work.
The strike has grounded roughly 300–600 flights, affecting about 250,000 travellers.
WestJet offered a 13% wage increase this year, 2.5% annually through 2029, plus 12% extra pay for all hours worked.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees demands hourly pay covering all pre‑ and post‑flight duties.
Canada’s jobs minister said the dispute is disappointing but a deal can still be reached.
- Who
- 4,400 WestJet flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees
- What
- A strike over pay dispute, specifically ground pay and hourly rate
- When
- Sunday during a busy summer holiday weekend
- Where
- WestJet flights across Canada, pickets at Vancouver International Airport and Pearson International Airport
- Why
- Union claims unpaid ground work and inadequate pay; airline offered a wage increase but union says it is insufficient
- Airline
- WestJet
- Union
- Canadian Union of Public Employees
- Flights cancelled
- 309–615
- Passengers affected
- ≈250,000
- Offer
- 13% wage increase + 12% extra pay for all hours worked
Sources
Why are WestJet flight attendants on strike and who will be affected?
Why are Canada’s WestJet flight attendants on strike? Here’s what’s happening
309 flights cancelled as WestJet cabin crew go on strike: Why it happened
