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WestJet Flight Attendants Strike: The Complete Timeline

WestJet flight attendants, represented by CUPE 8125, began a legal strike on 2 August 2026 after collective bargaining over pay for ground duties failed to pro…

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WESTJET FOUNDED

WestJet Begins Operations as a Low-Cost Carrier

WestJet launched in Calgary in 1996 as a low-cost carrier, growing over three decades into Canada's second-largest airline, operating from its main hub at Calgary Intern…

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CUPE CERTIFIED

CUPE Is Certified to Represent WestJet Flight Attendants

After earlier unsuccessful organising attempts, the Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the Canadian Union of Public Employees to represent roughly 3,000 WestJet…

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ONEX ACQUISITION

WestJet Is Acquired by Onex Corporation

Onex Corporation, a Toronto-based private equity firm, completed its approximately C$5 billion acquisition of WestJet in December 2019, taking the airline private.

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REPLACEMENT WORKER BAN

Federal Replacement-Worker Ban Takes Effect

Bill C-58, banning the use of replacement workers in most federally regulated strikes and lockouts, came into force on 20 June 2025, directly shaping WestJet's options d…

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AIR CANADA PRECEDENT

Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike Over the Same Core Issue

More than 10,500 CUPE-represented Air Canada flight attendants struck 16-19 August 2025 over unpaid ground-duty pay, involving Section 107 intervention and a defied CIRB…

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NOTICE TO BARGAIN

CUPE 8125 Serves Notice to Bargain

CUPE 8125 formally served Notice to Bargain on 16 September 2025, opening negotiations for a new WestJet Mainline flight attendant contract centred on ground-duty pay.

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STRIKE VOTE

Members Vote 99.4% in Favour of Strike Action

CUPE 8125 announced a strike-authorization vote result of 99.4% in favour on 97.3% turnout, an unusually high participation rate, granting the union's bargaining team a…

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DUAL NOTICES

CUPE 8125 and WestJet Issue 72-Hour Notices

CUPE 8125 issued a 72-hour strike notice and WestJet responded with a matching lockout notice on 30 July 2026, setting the earliest legal strike time at 12:01 AM MT on 2…

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STRIKE BEGINS

WestJet Flight Attendants Begin a Legal Strike

At 12:01 AM MT, roughly 4,400 WestJet Mainline flight attendants began a legal strike after overnight talks failed. WestJet's matching lockout took effect simultaneously…

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