In a significant development for the airline industry in Canada, WestJet flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement with their employer that promises substantial increases to their overall compensation. The deal, which follows a one-day strike involving over 4,000 attendants, sets a precedent by ensuring that cabin crew will be paid for previously unpaid preboarding work.
Tentative Agreement Breakdown
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing the flight attendants, announced the details of the agreement reached on August 3. Under the terms, flight attendants will receive an 18.25 per cent wage increase over the next three years, with retroactive pay dating back to January 1, 2026. A key feature of this agreement is the introduction of a “duty pay premium,” which compensates crew members for work performed before takeoff and after landing.
By the conclusion of the contract in December 2028, attendants will receive full compensation for what is termed “uncredited time”—hours worked without pay. Steven Tufts, an associate professor of labour studies at York University, noted that this progressive approach mirrors the efforts made by Air Canada flight attendants last summer, who also successfully campaigned for recognition of preboarding work.
Comparison with Air Canada
While the WestJet agreement marks a step forward, Tufts advises caution when drawing parallels with Air Canada’s recent compensation negotiations. Air Canada flight attendants, who have a different pay structure, secured partial compensation for ground work that began at 50 per cent of their hourly wage, eventually rising to 70 per cent. In contrast, WestJet’s new structure aims to address the issue more comprehensively, with plans for full payment for all hours of unpaid work.
Adam King, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, remarked that the WestJet agreement appears to surpass Air Canada’s in its approach to compensation, as it provides a framework for recognising all types of unpaid work performed by flight attendants.
Details of the Compensation Increase
The tentative agreement is poised for a vote by union members in early September. CUPE 8125, the local union representing WestJet’s flight attendants, has laid out how the agreement will enhance overall salaries if ratified. For instance, a junior flight attendant working a four-day schedule with 12 flight legs currently earns approximately $750.80. Under the new deal, this sum would rise to $1,039.29, with a final projected salary of $1,226.37 by the end of 2028, factoring in the duty pay premium and scheduled wage increases.
Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, expressed optimism about the agreement, describing it as “meaningful progress” that evolves the flight credit system to better reflect the realities of cabin crew work.
Broader Implications for the Industry
The outcome of this negotiation could set a significant precedent not only for WestJet but also for the airline industry at large. Last year’s negotiations at Air Canada were met with dissatisfaction among flight attendants, who felt that wage increases did not adequately address inflation over the preceding decade. The contrast between these two cases highlights the ongoing challenges faced by airline workers in securing fair compensation.
Why it Matters
This tentative agreement represents a pivotal moment for labour relations in Canada’s airline sector, as it underscores the growing recognition of the contributions made by flight attendants. By addressing previously unpaid work and implementing a structured compensation increase, WestJet sets a new benchmark that may influence future negotiations across the industry. As the vote approaches, the outcomes will not only affect the lives of thousands of flight attendants but also signal to other companies the necessity of adapting their compensation models to meet the evolving expectations of their workforce.
