The union representing WestJet flight attendants is using social media to ask its members to support a strike mandate in a vote that runs until 15JUL.
After nearly 11 months of bargaining and conciliation, talks between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the airline appear to have stalled.
"As we continue bargaining for a fair collective agreement, your Bargaining Committee is asking members to support a STRIKE MANDATE," the WestJet component of CUPE wrote in a Facebook post.
"A strong strike vote doesn't mean a strike will happen. It means our members are united, engaged, and prepared to stand behind the bargaining priorities you've identified," it stated. "A strong mandate strengthens our position at the bargaining table and sends a clear message that WestJet Flight Attendants are standing together in pursuit of a fair agreement."
The union and WestJet have been negotiating regularly since September 2025, meeting several times a month in an effort to reach an agreement.
At the centre of the dispute is the longstanding issue of how and when cabin crew is paid. CUPE and flight attendants say they perform an average of 35 hours of unpaid work each month, arguing they are “responsible for passenger safety from the moment they report for duty.”
In an online post outlining the process, WestJet said it “recognizes the important role cabin crew play in ensuring the safety, comfort, and care of our guests on every flight.”
Similar disputes have disrupted the sector in the past year. More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants went on strike in August 2025 over claims of unpaid work, including ground duties. The labour action ended in a mediated settlement.
