WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with a resounding 90.2 percent of votes in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, the president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the strong support from members and highlighted the significant progress achieved during negotiations.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees revealed that the agreement entails an increase in wages exceeding 18 percent over a three-year period, along with additional compensation for ground-related tasks. The contract outlines a 13 percent wage rise scheduled for October, followed by incremental hikes of 2.75 percent in January and 2.5 percent at the beginning of 2028.
Following months of discussions starting in January, WestJet and the CUPE WestJet Component reached a resolution regarding wage adjustments and the compensation for ground duties performed by cabin crews. The union had previously raised concerns about the lack of payment for off-air tasks, while WestJet argued that all responsibilities were adequately accounted for through a credit hour system.
The newly agreed-upon three-year contract is effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028. Despite facing challenges during negotiations, particularly concerning boarding pay, the agreement was reached after a brief strike by around 4,400 cabin crew members earlier in the month. WestJet’s flight operations have gradually normalized after experiencing over 900 flight cancellations during the peak summer travel season.
Labor disputes have unsettled the aviation sector in recent years, with strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics causing disruptions at the country’s major airlines. WestJet, which operates more than 600 daily flights and serves over 70,000 passengers on busy days, aims to maintain stability following the successful conclusion of the collective bargaining process.