Canadian carrier WestJet has responded to threats of a possible flight attendant strike by issuing its own 72-hour deadline as an industrial dispute over contracts deepens.
On July 30, 2026, WestJet said it was issuing a lockout notice after members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 8125 announced a 72-hour strike notice.
If an agreement is not reached, a work stoppage could occur on August 2, 2026, just after midnight, local time. The lockout notice would prevent unionized employees from working.
“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,” Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, said.
He added that the airline’s “commitment remains at the bargaining table” where it will work 24 hours a day to find a deal that “provides value and meaningful improvements for our Cabin Crew and is sustainable for our company”.
CUPE 8125 has stated that its strike notice does not mean flight attendants want to commence industrial action.
“We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal,” said Alia Hussain, President of CUPE 8125.
The union said its “goal is to reach a fair agreement without disrupting passengers or the travelling public”.
“There’s still time to avoid a strike,” Hussain added. “We will continue to bargain around the clock until this is resolved. We want a fair contract for our members that recognizes the value of flight attendants’ work and recognizes our position as employees of the second-largest carrier in Canada.”
Additionally, CUPE 8125 asked the Canadian government not to intervene and to “respect the collective bargaining process and allow the parties to reach a fair, negotiated agreement”.
The union claims that WestJet flight attendants carry out unpaid work up to 35 hours every month.
CUPE 8125 previously wrote: “WestJet claims they pay for all hours, but our pay is heavily tied to when the plane pushes back. Boarding, safety sweeps, assisting passengers, and ground delays are entirely on our dime. We are done subsidizing WestJet profits with unpaid labour.”
How could the strike affect WestJet passengers?
WestJet said that the notices do not immediately impact operations or mean that a labor disruption will occur.
If the airline’s work stoppage comes into effect, it will “take all necessary actions to manage the potential impacts as much as possible”. These include:
Managing changes and cancellations, to ensure the ability to communicate with guests in advance of changes.
Continue to offer flexible change/cancel policies for those guests with travel bookings between July 30, 2026, and August 4, 2026, who wish to make alternate arrangements.
In its statement WestJet said: “Should flight delays or cancellations occur, impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable. Guests who booked directly with WestJet will be directly communicated via the email address provided at the time of booking for any changes to their travel. Guests who booked through a travel agent or online booking agency are asked to contact those third-parties directly.”