Story perspectives

WestJet, CUPE Reach Tentative Deal Ending Strike

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees reached a tentative agreement on Aug 3, ending the flight-attendant strike that began Aug 2.
The pact provides a 13 % wage rise effective Oct 1, retroactive to Jan 1 2026, 2.5 % annual raises and a duty-pay premium worth about a 12 % increase.
After cancelling 496 flights on Aug 2—100 % of its schedule—and 645 flights since Friday, WestJet will restore service and has extended its change policy through Aug 6.

History

Historical Context

The August 2024 WestJet walkout echoes a pattern of Canadian flight-attendant disputes, most recently the 16-19 August 2025 Air Canada strike involving 10,517 CUPE members that cancelled 3,200 flights and cost C$430 million. Both actions centre on unpaid groundwork, a grievance that has driven recent concessions at U.S. carriers such as Delta in 2022.

1 of 2

Story summary

WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees reached a tentative agreement on Aug 3, ending the flight-attendant strike that began Aug 2.
The pact provides a 13 % wage rise effective Oct 1, retroactive to Jan 1 2026, 2.5 % annual raises and a duty-pay premium worth about a 12 % increase.
After cancelling 496 flights on Aug 2—100 % of its schedule—and 645 flights since Friday, WestJet will restore service and has extended its change policy through Aug 6.

1 / 2