What Happened
Canadian Airline Grounds Boeing 737 Fleet Amid Labor Dispute
WestJet has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights after its cabin crew members, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125, launched strike action. The strike, which involves approximately 4,400 flight attendants, began on August 2, 2026, after nearly 11 months of contract negotiations failed to produce a new collective agreement. The dispute centers on compensation for duties performed before departure and after arrival, with the union arguing that these responsibilities remain unpaid under the current system. WestJet had offered a double-digit wage increase in its latest proposal, but the union deemed it insufficient. The strike has already disrupted WestJet operations, with Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 services affected, while WestJet Encore and codeshare flights continue to operate as scheduled. This development was first reported by AeroTime.