WestJet flight attendants have approved a new collective agreement with the airline, with a resounding 90.2% vote in favor of the deal. Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “This strong mandate from our members acknowledges the substantial progress achieved during negotiations.” This marks the second contract for the group, with notable advancements ensuring fair compensation for their efforts.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees disclosed that the agreement encompasses an impressive 18% wage increase spread over three years, along with additional remuneration for ground-related tasks. The contract stipulates a 13% salary boost in October, followed by increments of 2.75% in January and 2.5% at the beginning of 2028.

While the airline has yet to provide a formal response to the ratification, discussions on the contract started back in January, with contentious points revolving around wage adjustments and the compensation for ground duties. The union had persistently raised concerns about the lack of payment for non-flight work, emphasizing the need for fair remuneration. WestJet’s stance, however, centered on a “credit hour” system compensating for all responsibilities, rather than an hourly wage.

The newly agreed-upon three-year contract will be effective from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028, following intensive negotiations that included disputes over boarding pay and a brief strike by approximately 4,400 cabin crew members earlier this month. WestJet’s flight operations gradually resumed after overcoming more than 900 cancellations during the peak summer travel period.

The aviation sector has witnessed a series of labor disputes in recent years, with strikes by Air Canada flight attendants and WestJet mechanics causing temporary disruptions to operations at the country’s major airlines. WestJet, a carrier operating over 600 daily flights and serving more than 70,000 passengers on certain days, has navigated through these challenges to reach a new collective agreement with its flight attendants.