WestJet flight attendants ratify three-year contract

WestJet’s mainline flight attendants represented by CUPE Local 8125 have ratified a tentative three-year contract, supported by a large majority in a vote that saw about 92.7% turnout and 90.2% voting in favor, following a summer disruption that included a one-day strike and a lockout that temporarily halted much of the airline’s operations. The agreement secures wage increases totaling more than 18% over three years and adds a new Duty Period Premium for ground duties, along with broader improvements such as increased time off, higher allowances, more flexible shift trades, greater rest, fewer maximum flight segments, stronger reserve protections, and enhanced sick-leave banking. A parallel development in British Columbia saw a $4.5 million settlement approved in a class-action over workplace harassment affecting more than 3,400 current and former female WestJet flight attendants, with eligible claimants potentially receiving around $470; the deal includes no admission of liability and requires a claims process to be opened. The harassment case traces back to a 2016 lawsuit initiated by Mandalena Lewis, who has described a traumatic incident involving a pilot in 2010, highlighting ongoing concerns about workplace culture at the carrier. Article coverage notes the ongoing ratification process and post-disruption restoration of WestJet’s network as the new contract terms take effect, aligning with broader labor tensions in Canada’s aviation sector. The ratification updates and related coverage emphasize a sustained effort by WestJet to settle labor disputes while addressing safety, wellbeing, and workplace conduct for its flight attendants.