WestJet and Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement, Bringing Strike to an End

WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents approximately 4,400 flight attendants, have reached a tentative collective agreement, ending a strike that disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers during one of Canada’s busiest holiday weekends.

The agreement, announced early Monday, brings an end to the labour action that forced WestJet to cancel hundreds of domestic and international flights, leaving travellers stranded across Canada and abroad. While the strike has concluded, airline officials say it may take several days before flight schedules return to normal as aircraft, crews and passengers are repositioned throughout the network.

Details of the tentative agreement have not yet been released, as the proposed contract must first be presented to union members for a ratification vote. Both WestJet and CUPE have indicated that additional information will be shared following the membership review process.

The primary issue during negotiations centred on compensation for flight attendants. The union had argued that cabin crew should receive pay for their full duty period, including time spent preparing aircraft, boarding passengers and completing post-flight responsibilities, rather than being compensated mainly for the time an aircraft is in motion. The tentative agreement is expected to introduce improvements to the existing pay structure by recognizing more of the duties performed throughout a work shift while also increasing overall compensation.

Federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu welcomed the breakthrough, describing the agreement as a positive outcome achieved through collective bargaining. The resolution ends a dispute that significantly affected air travel during the August long weekend, traditionally one of the busiest periods of the summer travel season.

Aviation experts say restoring WestJet’s full operations will require time. With hundreds of flights cancelled over the weekend, aircraft and flight crews are now out of position, creating logistical challenges that cannot be resolved immediately. Passengers are being advised to continue monitoring their flight status, as schedule adjustments and delays are expected while normal operations resume.

The strike affected an estimated 225,000 travellers, many of whom were forced to alter vacation plans, business trips and family events. Airports across the country experienced long lines and crowded customer service areas as passengers searched for alternative travel arrangements.

Among those impacted were Canadians travelling overseas. Some passengers stranded in Europe received replacement flights through partner airlines, while others faced extended hotel stays and additional travel expenses. WestJet has indicated that eligible passengers may submit reimbursement claims for accommodation and other costs incurred as a result of the disruption.

Many affected travellers expressed frustration with the uncertainty surrounding their travel plans but also voiced support for the flight attendants’ efforts to secure improved working conditions and fair compensation.

The union stated that the tentative agreement represents meaningful progress by modernizing the airline’s long-standing flight credit system and recognizing more of the responsibilities performed by cabin crew throughout their shifts. Union leaders also thanked members for their solidarity during the labour dispute and acknowledged the support shown by the travelling public and labour organizations.

Passengers whose flights were cancelled or changed are encouraged to regularly check their booking status through WestJet’s travel notifications and online services, as schedules continue to be updated during the recovery process.

With the strike now over, WestJet’s immediate priority is restoring its flight network and reuniting thousands of passengers with their destinations. The airline expects operations to gradually stabilize over the coming days as recovery efforts continue across its domestic and international routes.