WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees reached a tentative agreement on 3 August, ending the strike by about 4,400 cabin crew and withdrawing strike and lockout notices. The work stoppage had triggered hundreds of flight cancellations across the carrier’s network, and the airline is now moving to restore normal operations while members prepare to vote on the proposed deal.
The dispute centred on pay for ground duties and wider wage concerns, with cabin crew seeking compensation from check-in to clock-out. WestJet, based in Calgary, had issued a lockout notice on 30 July after talks failed and later outlined an offer that included wage increases, a duty-pay premium and changes to benefits and scheduling. The full terms of the tentative agreement were not disclosed, and the timing of a full operational recovery remains unclear.
The outcome follows several days of severe summer travel disruption for passengers and added pressure on WestJet’s operation during a peak period for Canadian aviation. If ratified, the deal would settle one of the latest labour disputes in the airline sector over payment for pre-flight and other ground duties.