[REVISION HISTORY]

WestJet flight‑attendant strike notice and lockout (Aug 2026

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-07-30 23:07 UTC → 2026-07-30 23:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

WestJet flight attendants, represented by CUPE Local 8125, overwhelmingly voted in July for a strike mandate, citing unpaid ground work and low wages. The union says cabin crew perform about 35 unpaid hours each month, while the airline argues those duties are compensated through a credit‑hour system. On 29 July the union served a 72‑hour strike notice that could trigger a work stoppage at 12:01 a.m. MT on 2 August 2026. ~~In response,~~ WestJet issued ~~its own~~ a matching 72‑hour lockout notice, expressing regret for passenger inconvenience but noting ~~that~~ the notices do not immediately affect flight operations. Both parties continue negotiations. WestJet has offered a flexible change‑or‑cancel option for bookings between 30 July and 4 August and prepared an operational wind‑down plan to repatriate crew and accommodate passengers if a strike occurs. The airline says regional WestJet Encore and code‑share flights would be insulated from immediate disruption. The union, representing about 4,400 attendants, and the airline have urged the federal government ~~could invoke~~ not to intervene, though Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code ~~to impose~~ could allow binding ~~arbitration, though the union prefers to keep collective‑bargaining intact.~~ arbitration. A potential disruption would affect the airline’s 600‑plus daily flights and up to 70 000 passengers during the long‑weekend holiday.

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