Flight attendants at WestJet launched a strike early Sunday, escalating a labour dispute that has already grounded hundreds of flights across Canada's second-largest airline.
Members of CUPE 8125, the union representing 4,400 cabin crew, walked off the job at 02:01 EST after contract negotiations stretched back to September 2025 without resolution. The union, which issued a formal strike notice ahead of the walkout, claims attendants work up to 35 unpaid hours monthly on pre-flight duties. WestJet says crew earn between C$28 and C$58 per hour, and chief executive Alexis von Hoensbroech offered a double-digit first-year pay increase that the union rejected.
The airline cancelled 309 flights Saturday and is offering free cancellations and schedule changes through Tuesday.