VOTE PROVIDES BARGAINING MANDATE, NOT AN IMMINENT STRIKE NOTICE

WestJet Mainline flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125 (CUPE 8125), have officially opened a strike vote that will run until 15 July 2026. The vote is taking place as negotiations between the union and WestJet continue under federal conciliation, with conciliation proceedings scheduled to run until 11 July. The union has been clear that the purpose of the strike vote is to provide a mandate to the bargaining committee to strengthen its position in negotiations, and that a strong vote result does not signify that a strike is imminent or intended.

Alia Hussain, President of CUPE 8125, said the union’s goal remained the same as it had been from the beginning of the bargaining process: to reach a fair negotiated collective agreement. She said a strong strike mandate demonstrated that members were united behind their bargaining committee and committed to achieving meaningful improvements, and that the union was committed to reaching a negotiated settlement and believed the best outcome was one achieved at the bargaining table. The results of the strike vote will be released by CUPE 8125 after voting closes on 15 July.

NEGOTIATING ISSUES AND LEGAL TIMELINE

The union continues to negotiate key issues identified by members throughout the bargaining process, including wages, overall compensation, scheduling, work-life balance and other workplace improvements. In the Canadian federal labour relations framework, the opening of a strike vote during conciliation is a standard procedural step that provides a union with the authority to call strike action should negotiations fail — it is not a notice of strike action. The earliest date on which a legal strike or employer lockout could occur, under applicable federal labour legislation, is 2 August 2026. WestJet operates as one of Canada’s two major carriers and its flight attendant group represents a significant component of its mainline operations workforce.