WestJet flight attendants vote overwhelmingly for strike, possible start Aug. 2

WestJet cabin crew members represented by CUPE Local 8125 voted 99 % in favour of a strike mandate, with a turnout of more than 97 % among the roughly 4,400 flight attendants. The union said the strike could be called as early as Sunday, Aug. 2, coinciding with a long weekend and potentially grounding Canada’s second‑largest airline.

The dispute centres on wages and the airline’s “credit‑hour” pay system, which combines flight time, ground duties and delays into a single higher rate. Attendants argue the system undervalues unpaid work, echoing a similar strike by Air Canada flight crews last year. WestJet has acknowledged the importance of cabin crew and outlined its current credit‑hour rates, ranging from $28.45 to $53.61 per hour.

If a strike proceeds, thousands of flights could be disrupted during the busy summer travel period, affecting many Canadian travellers.