Ten months into contract negotiations, WestJet flight attendants are turning to social media to build support, asking the public to "help the flight attendants end unpaid labour."
The union representing WestJet flight attendants issued a formal notice of dispute in late April, seven months into contract talks centred on allegations of unpaid work. At the time, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents about 4,400 cabin crew at the airlines, said talks “have not produced sufficient progress on key issues.”
Conciliation work between the union and employer are ongoing, but no resolution has been reached.
In recent weeks, the union's WestJet component has issued a series of social media posts and advertisements directing Canadians to an online petition. The preamble to the petition, which will be sent to WestJet management and the federal government, is highly critical of WestJet’s recent business decisions.
“Remember when flying WestJet actually felt different? The cozy branding. The undeniable feeling that you were supporting a hometown, Western success story that did things right,” it reads. “Back then, employees were owners, and you could feel that pride in the cabin. That airline is gone.”
Nearly 13,000 people have added their names so far, with many also leaving words of encouragement.
The union has been in regular negotiations with WestJet 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.
