"We're disappointed to be here”: WestJet details rejected contract offer as FA strike grounds flights

WestJet has released details of the "transformational" contract offer rejected by its flight attendants' union after more than 4,000 cabin crew members, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), walked off the job early Sunday morning (Aug. 2), forcing the airline to ground its Boeing 737 and 787 operations.

The strike began at 12:01 a.m. MT after a 72-hour strike notice expired, triggering hundreds of flight cancellations and disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers during the August long weekend.

In a statement early Sunday, WestJet confirmed a work stoppage is underway, preventing it from operating its scheduled 737 and 787 flights.

"We're disappointed to be here, this directly impacts the travel plans of our guests, our WestJetters and the communities and businesses we serve," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, in a press release.

"Our focus remains on staying available for the union to reach an agreement. We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn't accepted."

READ MORE: "We believe we deserve better": WestJet flight attendants go on strike

WestJet said all affected passengers will either receive a refund or be reaccommodated, where possible.

Customers who booked directly with the airline will be contacted by email, while those who booked through a travel advisor or third-party platform are being asked to contact their booking provider.

Details of latest proposal

WestJet also disclosed the details of its latest proposal to the union, saying it was submitted late Saturday in an effort to avoid a strike after addressing what it described as the union's key public demands.

According to WestJet, the offer included a 13 per cent wage increase effective Oct. 1, 2026, followed by annual increases of 2.5 per cent in 2027, 2028 and 2029, along with retroactive pay to Jan. 1, 2026.

The proposal also featured a new duty pay premium that WestJet said would compensate cabin crew for all duty hours before and after flights, representing an additional 12 per cent salary increase designed to address the union's concerns over unpaid work.

Other proposed enhancements included a $300 annual healthcare spending account, a 13 per cent increase in meal allowances in 2026 followed by annual 2.5 per cent increases, a fifth week of vacation after 25 years of service, a 17-week maternity leave top-up, a new flexible part-time program and a series of scheduling and quality-of-life improvements.

Among those changes were additional rest time at home base and away from base, greater flexibility for shift trades while on layovers, premium pay for reassigned flights, shorter maximum duty days when operating three or more flight legs and compensation when crew experience delays accessing hotel rooms during layovers.

WestJet said it recognizes that striking is "not an easy" decision for cabin crew, but argued the rejected proposal would have established a new benchmark for flight attendant compensation in Canada.

The airline warned that approximately 250,000 travellers will have their August long weekend plans disrupted, with additional cancellations expected if the work stoppage continues.

“Offer did not go far enough,” says union

In a statement issued early Sunday, Alia Hussain, CUPE 8125 President, said: “We tried until the very last minute to get a fair deal that recognizes the value of the work cabin crews do.”

However: “WestJet's offer did not go far enough.”

“We are on strike because we believe we deserve better,” stated Hussain. “We are ready to go back to the table to settle. We hope the federal government will not interfere and will let the bargaining process run its course. Unpaid work is a big piece of our priorities, but we are bargaining a comprehensive contract.”

“We would not be here if they had taken our concerns seriously for almost eleven months of bargaining.”

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement early Sunday that it was a “disappointing development.”

“A strike or lockout does not mean an agreement can’t be reached, the expectation is that parties can and should come to an agreement at the bargaining table,” Hajdu said.

She noted that the federal government is urging both groups to reach a deal.

Cancellations mount

WestJet says the number of cancellations tied to its flight attendant strike has now climbed to 600 flights network-wide, with the largest wave of disruptions occurring after the work stoppage began early Sunday.

As of 3 a.m. MT on Sunday (Aug. 2), the airline had cancelled 291 additional flights, bringing the cumulative total to 600 since it began scaling back operations ahead of the strike.

The latest cancellations build on a series of pre-emptive schedule reductions announced over the past two days. 

The figures apply only to WestJet mainline flights and do not include WestJet Encore services.

The airline has implemented a Flexible Change/Cancel policy for travel scheduled between now and Aug. 4, 2026. Click here for details.

For the latest information on guest travel options, visit WestJet's Travel Advisory page. For bargaining updates, visit here. 

Notice from TICO

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is reminding consumers who purchased travel packages through TICO-registered businesses that include WestJet flights – including WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations or other registered travel agencies – that they are protected under Ontario's consumer protection laws if their package is cancelled due to the ongoing labour disruption.

Affected travellers must be offered the choice of a refund, comparable alternate travel services acceptable to them, or a travel voucher if the original package cannot be delivered.

Consumers who choose a refund are entitled to receive it within a reasonable timeframe, says TICO. 

Travellers currently at their destination whose return WestJet flight has been cancelled should contact their travel provider or advisor directly, while those with travel insurance are encouraged to contact their insurer to discuss available coverage.

TICO also noted that the Travel Industry Compensation Fund does not cover expenses such as hotels, meals, rental cars or lost wages resulting from flight cancellations caused by labour disruptions.

For potential compensation and regulations for air-only cancellations and delays, travel advisors and passengers should refer to the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, says TICO.

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