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”.
“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.”