WestJet Flight Attendants Strike Over Pay Dispute

Flight attendants at WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, initiated a strike due to a disagreement over pay. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 4,400 cabin crew members, announced the strike through its Facebook page.

As a result, WestJet, a partner of Delta Airlines, cancelled over 300 flights by early Sunday. This disruption affected travel plans in Canada during a three-day weekend.

The main concern in the dispute revolved around payment for pre-flight duties performed on the ground. The union argued that some of this work is unpaid, while WestJet claimed their staff receives compensation via a “credit hour” system, not an hourly wage. Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, highlighted their proposal offering a new pay standard for cabin crew, which included an hourly rate covering additional non-flight hours and a double-digit pay increase in the first year. However, this offer was not accepted by the union.

Union chapter president Alia Hussain expressed disappointment, stating negotiators worked hard to secure a fair deal that acknowledged the importance of cabin crew members’ contributions. According to Hussain, WestJet’s proposal failed to meet expectations.

Despite the strike, both parties expressed willingness to continue negotiations. The airline announced it could not operate scheduled flights on Boeing 737s or 787s during the strike, ensuring travelers would receive refunds or alternative arrangements. WestJet advised customers booked directly to expect email notifications, whereas individuals who reserved through agents or third-party platforms should contact them.

This strike did not affect WestJet Encore flights operated on a Q400, nor code-share flights by partner airlines.

Similar disputes occurred with Air Canada flight attendants last summer, impacting more than 100,000 travelers. That strike also focused on pre-flight work payment, lasting three days before reaching a settlement.