WestJet flight attendants have officially approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with a resounding 90.2 percent vote in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, the president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the high level of support from members signifies the significant progress achieved during negotiations.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees disclosed that the new agreement entails an impressive wage increase of over 18 percent spread across three years, along with additional compensation for ground-related tasks. The ratified contract outlines a 13 percent salary boost scheduled for this October, followed by increments of 2.75 percent in January and 2.5 percent at the beginning of 2028.

Following months of negotiations commencing in January, disagreements between WestJet and the CUPE WestJet Component mainly revolved around wage adjustments and the contentious issue of unpaid ground duties for cabin crews. The union had persistently raised concerns about uncompensated work performed during non-flight periods, while WestJet maintained that all tasks were adequately accounted for through a credit hour system rather than traditional hourly wages.

Effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028, the newly inked three-year agreement marks a significant milestone after intense discussions, particularly concerning boarding compensation, which led to a brief strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month. Subsequently, WestJet’s flight operations gradually resumed normalcy following a peak period that witnessed over 900 flight cancellations during the busy summer travel season.

The aviation sector has experienced a series of labor disputes in recent years, with notable strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics causing disruptions at the country’s major airlines. WestJet, known for operating more than 600 flights daily and serving over 70,000 passengers on certain days, has navigated through these challenges to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with its flight attendants.