WestJet’s flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with an overwhelming 90.2 percent voting in favor of the deal. The President of CUPE 8125, Alia Hussain, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, citing it as a significant endorsement of the concessions secured during negotiations.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees disclosed that the agreement encompasses an impressive wage increase exceeding 18 percent spread over three years, along with additional compensation for ground duties. The ratified contract will see a 13 percent salary boost in October, followed by increments of 2.75 percent in January and 2.5 percent at the beginning of 2028.

Following protracted discussions since January, WestJet and the CUPE WestJet Component have resolved contentious issues concerning salary adjustments and remuneration for off-flight responsibilities. The union had persistently raised concerns over the lack of compensation for ground duties, while WestJet maintained that all tasks were adequately accounted for under a “credit hour” system.

The newly endorsed three-year accord will be effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028. The agreement was reached after intense negotiations, particularly regarding boarding pay, which led to a brief strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier in the month.

WestJet’s flight operations gradually resumed following a peak period with over 900 flight cancellations amid the summer travel rush. The aviation sector has faced turbulence due to multiple labor disputes in recent years, including strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics that disrupted operations at the nation’s leading airlines.

On a regular basis, WestJet operates a network of more than 600 daily flights, serving over 70,000 passengers on busy days.