by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Mon August 3, 2026
WestJet and the union representing its flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement, bringing an end to a strike that disrupted hundreds of flights over the August long weekend.
The airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents roughly 4,400 WestJet cabin crew members, announced early Monday that they had reached a tentative deal after a day of strike action. Both the union's strike notice and WestJet's lockout notice have been withdrawn, and the agreement will now be put to union members for ratification.
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"We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that reflects the hard work and professionalism our cabin crew," WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement.
"We know this disruption has been frustrating for our guests and WestJetters and we're sorry for that. Our teams are working hard to restore service and get our guests on their way to their destinations as quickly as possible and we appreciate everyone's patience as we get back to normal."
WestJet Component (CUPE Local 8125). (Photo Credit: Facebook)
WestJet said it will provide additional information on the return to normal operations as it becomes available, cautioning that restoring its network will take time after widespread cancellations over one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer.
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The strike began early Sunday after months of negotiations failed to produce a new collective agreement. The dispute centred largely on compensation for work performed on the ground before takeoff and after landing, with the union arguing flight attendants should be paid from the time they check in for duty until they clock out rather than primarily for time when the aircraft is in motion.
In announcing the tentative agreement, CUPE said the deal represents progress on that issue.
"This tentative agreement represents meaningful progress," said Alia Hussain, president of the CUPE WestJet Component.
"It evolves the flight credit system by recognizing more of the work cabin crew are required to perform and with general increases to compensation for that work."
Neither WestJet nor the union released financial details of the tentative agreement.
Prior to the strike, WestJet had publicly outlined what it described as its latest offer, including a 13% wage increase in 2026, annual increases of 2.5% through 2029, retroactive pay, increased meal allowances, scheduling improvements and additional compensation for duty hours. The union maintained those proposals did not adequately address compensation for all work performed on the ground.
WestJet and CUPE remain at the bargaining table (Photo Credit: CUPE Local 8152 Facebook)
The work stoppage had an immediate impact on travellers across Canada. According to WestJet, the disruption resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations throughout the long weekend as the airline grounded much of its mainline operation while negotiations continued. Reuters reported that approximately 615 flights were cancelled, affecting roughly 250,000 passengers.
Industry experts say the recovery is expected to take several days as aircraft, crews and passengers are repositioned following the long weekend disruption.
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"It's about time," John Gradek, a faculty lecturer in aviation management at McGill University, told CBC News after the tentative agreement was announced.
"Today is shot. Things are going to need to get fixed up."
WestJet is advising passengers to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport as operations gradually return to normal.
The dispute marked the latest chapter in a push by flight attendants in Canada to secure compensation for duties performed before takeoff and after landing. Similar issues were at the centre of last year's labour dispute involving Air Canada flight attendants.
WestJet said, the agreement will now go to WestJet Cabin Crew for a ratification vote.
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