The majority of Canadians side with WestJet flight attendants as a potential strike looms. Polling results released Wednesday by Abacus Data show that 64 per cent of Canadians support flight attendants in their demands for compensation for every hour worked.
WestJet and their flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125, have been bargaining a new collective agreement since September 2025. Strike votes were taken earlier in July and a work stoppage could occur as early as August 2.
On Thursday morning, CUPE 8125 issued their 72-hour strike notice. The union emphasized that workers do not want to go on strike but will if they are pushed to do so.
The main issue for the union has been hours spent performing unpaid work. CUPE’s campaign website for the WestJet flight attendants’ struggle highlights that workers perform unpaid duties such as assisting with baggage, facilitating boarding and managing gate holds. Flight attendants at WestJet are paid for their labour only between gate departure and arrival.
“We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal,” said Alia Hussain, President of CUPE 8125.
CUPE 8125 held a strike vote for its 4,400 members earlier this month. Flight attendants delivered a strike mandate with 99.4 per cent in favour of a strike. CUPE 8125 local president, Alia Hussein, said this strike mandate shows that their members are united and determined.
“They voted to strike because they stand behind the bargaining priorities that they have identified, especially pay for all hours of work performed,” she said in a press release. “WestJet should do the right thing and prevent travel disruptions for their passengers.”
Abacus’ latest poll shows that Canadians are united with WestJet Flight attendants as well. More than two-thirds of Liberal voters support the workers in this dispute as do 59 per cent of Conservative voters.
While WestJet flight attendants could strike on August 2, a work stoppage is not a done deal. Global News reported on Wednesday that Minister of Transport, Steven MacKinnon, said talks are progressing. CUPE also shared that they are committed to reaching an agreement at the table and avoiding a strike.
“We will continue to bargain around the clock until this is resolved,” Hussain said in a press release. “We want a fair contract for our members that recognizes the value of flight attendants’ work and recognizes our position as employees of the second-largest carrier in Canada. We look forward to further discussions with WestJet at the table so we can resolve this before August 2nd.”
How the Liberal government handles a strike, if it were to happen, could prove interesting given the 69 per cent of party supporters who are siding with flight attendants.
The federal government intervened in a similar strike last year. In August 2025, Air Canada flight attendants began strike action. Like their WestJet colleagues, the Air Canada workers were concerned about the unpaid labour performed before departure and after arrival. Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hadju, used section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order the strike to an end. Workers, however, defied this order.
READ MORE: The push for repeal of section 107 of the Labour Code
This time around, CUPE is urging the federal government to not interfere with the negotiation process.
“Last year, your government’s interference in the Air Canada labour dispute undermined collective bargaining and sent a troubling message that employers need only wait for government intervention rather than bargain in good faith,” reads a CUPE letter to Prime Minister Mark and Minister Hadju. “Canadians should not witness a repeat of that mistake.”
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