WestJet & CUPE reach tentative agreement, ending flight disruptions

This story was updated on Monday, August 3 at 9:18 a.m. EST

WestJet is back in business. 

The Calgary-based airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the company's more than 4,000 flight attendants, have reached a tentative agreement, according to a notice issued early Monday morning (Aug. 3).

The update brings an end to the work stoppage and network-wide operational disruption that affected some 250,000 WestJet customers over the August long weekend, while also withdrawing both the strike and lockout notices.

The agreement will now go to WestJet's cabin crew for a ratification vote.

"We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that reflects the hard work and professionalism our cabin crew," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of WestJet, in a statement.

"We know this disruption has been frustrating for our guests and WestJetters and we're sorry for that. Our teams are working hard to restore service and get our guests on their way to their destinations as quickly as possible and we appreciate everyone's patience as we get back to normal."

A turbulent long weekend

WestJet's 4,287 flight attendants walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. MT on Sunday (Aug. 2) after a 72-hour strike notice expired, forcing the airline to suspend its Boeing 737 and 787 operations.

By then, the airline had already begun an "organized take-down" of its network on Friday (July 31), and throughout the weekend, more than 600 flights were cancelled, with the bulk of the disruptions occurring Sunday.

READ MORE: "Working around the clock": Travel advisors navigate chaos as WestJet strike grounds flights

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, 121 of WestJet's 494 scheduled flights for Monday (Aug. 3) were also cancelled. 

Given the complexities of restarting an airline after a network-wide disruption, it remains unclear how much of today's schedule will ultimately operate.

In a social media post, Toronto Pearson airport (YYZ) said all WestJet flights at the airport remained suspended throughout Monday morning.

“Passengers scheduled to fly with WestJet are advised to contact the airline directly for the latest flight information and updates,” the airport wrote.

WestJet said it will provide further details on its return-to-operations plan as they become available.

"Some flights may continue to be affected as operations recover," the airline wrote on its website. "Please check your flight status before departing for the airport and visit our travel advisories for the latest information and available options."

Over the weekend, as WestJet and CUPE negotiated a new deal in Calgary, Canadians raced to rebook flights and salvage travel plans during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

Some travellers were left hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars out of pocket, while family visits and long-planned vacations were thrown into uncertainty as they searched for answers from the airline, according to reports.

The airline said passengers impacted by the strike will be refunded or reaccommodated "as applicable."

Additionally, as PAX reported, Canadian travel advisors worked around the clock for their clients, rebooking itineraries, monitoring flight schedules and waiting on hold — much of it unpaid. 

Flight attendants return to work

The central sticking point in the negotiations between WestJet and its flight attendants was the airline's pay model, which, according to the union, left crew uncompensated for a significant portion of the work they perform on the ground.

Neither side disclosed the terms of the tentative agreement, but WestJet on Sunday released details of what it said was its latest offer to the union.

The proposal included a 13 per cent wage increase effective Oct. 1, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, followed by annual 2.5 per cent increases through 2029.

It also featured what the airline described as a "duty pay premium"— compensation for all duty hours that WestJet said would address the union's concerns about unpaid work. 

The airline estimates the premium is equivalent to an additional 12 per cent increase in pay.

CUPE acknowledged the tentative agreement in a separate news release early Monday. 

“With the strike now over, flight attendants will be returning to work,” the union wrote. 

“If ratified, the agreement improves upon the legacy flight credit system by introducing a duty period premium that recognizes more of the work cabin crew are required to perform and increases compensation for that work.”

“Meaningful progress”

CUPE 8125 President Alia Hussain noted that the tentative agreement represents “meaningful progress.”

“It evolves the flight credit system by recognizing more of the work cabin crew are required to perform and with general increases to compensation for that work,” said Hussain in a statement. “Most importantly, this agreement was achieved through collective bargaining at the negotiating table. We will now present the agreement to our members for their review and ratification vote."

Hussain went on to thank members for their solidarity throughout the process.

“We also want to thank the public, labour organizations, and everyone who supported cabin crew as we worked toward a fair resolution,” said Hussain.

Details of the agreement will be shared directly with members in advance of the vote, said CUPE. 

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