The union representing close to 4,400 flight attendants at WestJet says it has issued a 72-hour strike notice to the airline, to which WestJet responded with a lockout notice.
Both WestJet and CUPE Local8125, the union representing its flight attendants, issued statements Thursday morning confirming the developments as a potential strike looms this long weekend.
“From the beginning, flight attendants have been clear about what they are fighting for. Unfortunately, the parties are still too far apart on some key issues,” the union said.
If a negotiated agreement on a new contract can’t be reached by Aug. 2 at 12 a.m. mountain time, those unionized flight attendants could walk off the job.
“The strike notice does not mean flight attendants want to go on strike. CUPE 8125 has been clear throughout negotiations that its goal is to reach a fair agreement without disrupting passengers or the travelling public,” the union said.
WestJet said it doesn’t anticipate any immediate impact to air travel, but that could change if an agreement isn’t reached by the deadline.
“WestJet today responded to a 72-hour strike notification from the union that represents WestJet Cabin Crew by issuing a lockout notice,” said WestJet.
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“These notices do not immediately impact operations or mean that a labour disruption will occur. WestJet and CUPE are still actively negotiating to reach an agreement, avoiding impact to our guests.”
A WestJet spokesperson later clarified to Global News that the airline “has not had any cancelled flights today nor have we started the wind-down process” because of the strike notice.
A work stoppage could occur as early as Aug. 2 at 12:01 a.m. mountain time.
“The decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union, was not one that was made lightly. We sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, in a statement.
“We greatly value the work and contributions of our Cabin Crew, and it is our responsibility to ensure the integrity of our network and to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, crew and aircraft. Our commitment remains at the bargaining table, where we will continue to work around the clock to come to an agreement that provides value and meaningful improvements for our Cabin Crew and is sustainable for our company.”
If a strike occurs, WestJet says it “will take all necessary actions to manage the potential impacts as much as possible.”
Speaking in the CUPE 8125 statement, union president Alia Hussain said “we have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal.
“There’s still time to avoid a strike.”
A core issue in negotiations is the credit hour system under which flight attendants are paid, which the union says amounts to unpaid work.
What passengers need to know
Strike action could occur over the long weekend if WestJet and the union can’t come to an agreement by the Aug. 2 deadline, but both sides say they are hoping to avoid job action.
In the meantime, WestJet is advising passengers on what to expect should their travel plans be disrupted in the event of a strike.
If a strike happens, the airline says it will first be “managing changes and cancellations, to ensure the ability to communicate with guests in advance of changes.”
WestJet also said Thursday that it is maintaining its flexible cancellation policy launched last week. This includes the ability to make a one-time change or cancellation to their bookings with no fee for travel bookings between July 30, 2026 and Aug. 4, 2026.
WestJet said Thursday if strike action leads to flight delays or cancellations, “impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable.”
Those who booked directly through WestJet will be sent an email notifying them of any changes to their travel, according to the statement from the airline, while guests who booked through a travel agent or third-party online booking agency are being asked to contact those services directly.
—With files from Global’s Sean Boynton
I sincerely hope their need s and demands are met. As my flight and my husbands flight to P.E.I is that day August 02 and we can’t change it because of our dog that were taking. We’ve been looking forward to this only trip we planned the whole year.😢🤞🛫💞✈️💞🌅
2 years ago it was the mechanics…but since we were going to vancouver island we could drive. I have been fighting terminal cancer and the latest prognosis is maybe a year. I’ve been looking fo forward to seeing family i havent seen for 8 years. I am only going to get worse so I’m praying I can get to Nova Scotia. My son his fiancé and her sister are taking me and I can’t travel alone. Please please if anything delay the strike a month.
FIRE them!
‘avoiding impact’?? Does this spokesperson even work for WestJet? How can they be so oblivious regarding how impacted thousands of passengers are already? People, myself included, have been scrambling to figure out flights/plans from July 30th-August 4th and encountered absolute ignorance and rudeness from WestJet personnel. I was told I was being difficult when I wanted my original flight time and day instead of choosing a ‘flexible’ option/‘choice’. No apologies about the situation but a lot of victim, ergo client, blaming. Heinous to say the least!
Seems to be the same as in the recent past.
As a visitor who comes to family for you summer. And travels between Vancouver and Calgery.
I no longer use Westjet.
Pay the workers for their work.
You are already penny pinching the customers.
Overpaid CEOs needs to be clawed back – big time.
Hahahahah! You poor b*stards who want to fly for the long weekend get screwed again. Just in time you went from customer to hostage. Again.
So glad I have no need to fly anywhere in this screwed up world. Dont have to give my money to these thieving airlines.
@Kelly Dupon Sorry for your loss, hope you make your flight.
Ban strikes and unions once and for all, enough of the conservative working class bleeding hearts. People who want to work will do as they are told and if not there are plenty of newcomers arriving daily who are willing and able to take the job.
Plenty of jobs in oil, constuction and mining for sky waiters and waitresses if they arent happy. Trade in your word travel and extramarital sex with stangers and coworkers all over the country and world for a real job today!
Pay the workers for their work! Can you imagine working 35 hours per month unpaid? That’s the equivalent of one full week. Air Canada saw what happened with their flight attendants, WestJet isn’t going to get anything different. Pay them now and stop the threat of a strike.
Wish we knew it was going on. I can’t even change my flight. I’m flying out on the fifth at 7:30 AM for a celebration of life for my mother in Halifax .