Canadian carrier WestJet announced on July 30, 2026, that it has issued a 72-hour lockout notice after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125 served the airline with a 72-hour strike notice. If the two parties fail to reach a new collective agreement, a work stoppage could begin as early as August 2, 2026, just after midnight local time. The lockout notice would prevent unionized flight attendants from working.
WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer Alexis von Hoensbroech stated that the decision to issue a lockout notice in response to union actions was not made lightly and expressed regret for the inconvenience and uncertainty caused to guests. He added that the airline remains committed to bargaining around the clock to reach an agreement that provides meaningful improvements for cabin crew while remaining financially sustainable for the company.
CUPE Local 8125 stated that its strike notice does not guarantee that flight attendants intend to commence industrial action. Union President Alia Hussain noted that the goal remains securing a fair agreement without disrupting passengers and that time remains to avoid a strike. The union contends that flight attendants perform up to 35 hours of unpaid labor every month on tasks such as boarding, safety sweeps, and ground delays.
WestJet clarified that the issuing of notices does not immediately impact current flight operations. In the event of a work stoppage, the carrier plans to manage operational impacts by communicating advance schedule adjustments and cancellations. WestJet is also offering flexible change and cancellation options for passengers holding travel bookings between July 30, 2026, and August 4, 2026.
