WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with a 90.2% majority vote. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, citing significant progress in negotiations. The Canadian Union of Public Employees highlighted key aspects of the agreement, such as an over 18% salary increase spread over three years and additional compensation for ground duties.
Under the terms of the contract, employees will receive a 13% pay raise in October, followed by 2.75% in January and 2.5% in early 2028. The agreement addresses longstanding issues related to unpaid ground work, a point of contention during negotiations since January. The new three-year deal is effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028.
Tough discussions, especially regarding boarding pay, led to a one-day strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month. Following the strike, WestJet resumed its flight operations, gradually recovering from over 900 cancellations during the peak summer travel season. The aviation industry in Canada has witnessed several labor disputes in recent years, impacting major airlines like Air Canada and WestJet.
WestJet, known for operating more than 600 daily flights and serving over 70,000 passengers on certain days, had faced challenges in reaching a mutual agreement with its flight attendants. The ratification of this new collective agreement marks a significant milestone for both the airline and its employees.