WestJet flight attendants ratify new collective agreement

WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE 8125 ratified a new three-year collective agreement with 90.2 per cent of members voting in favour.

The agreement followed months of negotiations between the union and WestJet that ultimately resulted in a strike by flight attendants.

The new contract covers nearly 4,400 flight attendants and includes new compensation for work that cabin crew previously performed without pay.

“This is a strong mandate from our members and recognition of the meaningful gains we made at the bargaining table,” CUPE 8125 president Alia Hussain said in a statement.

Hussain said the agreement represented important progress for the union, which was negotiating only its second contract.

The deal also includes wage increases and other improvements to wages and working conditions.

The agreement took effect Jan. 1, 2026, and will remain in place through Dec. 31, 2028.

Hussain credited the union’s bargaining committee and members for maintaining solidarity throughout the negotiations and ratification process.

She said the union would continue working to improve wages and working conditions over the life of the agreement and during future negotiations.

CUPE 8125 also thanked WestJet passengers, other unions and supporters who backed the flight attendants during the bargaining process.