WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with a resounding 90.2% vote in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, hailed the outcome as a strong endorsement from the members, acknowledging the substantial progress achieved during negotiations.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees disclosed that the agreement entails an over 18% salary increase spread over three years, alongside introducing new compensation for ground-related duties. The contract stipulates a 13% salary bump in October, followed by 2.75% in January, and a further 2.5% raise in early 2028.
The new deal, effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028, concluded protracted discussions that included contentious issues like boarding compensation, leading to a brief strike by around 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month. WestJet’s flight operations gradually normalized after experiencing over 900 cancellations during the peak summer travel period.
The aviation sector has witnessed a wave of labor disputes in recent years, with strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics causing temporary operational disruptions at the country’s major airlines. WestJet, known for operating over 600 flights daily and serving upwards of 70,000 passengers on peak days, did not immediately provide a comment on the ratified agreement.
