Island Social Trends reports on the WestJet cabin crew work stoppage that began in the early hours of August 2, 2026, disrupting BC Day long weekend travel after more than 300 flights were cancelled in advance. The article sets out WestJet’s rejected proposal (a 13 per cent wage increase effective October 1, 2026, followed by 2.5 per cent annually through 2029, retroactive pay to January 1, 2026, a new duty pay premium covering all duty hours, and scheduling and leave improvements) alongside the CUPE 8125 WestJet Component’s position that unpaid work — pre-flight safety checks, boarding and deplaning assistance, passenger issues, and recurrent training — is the critical issue, and that the union is seeking federal legislative changes to prohibit unpaid work in the airline sector.
On the political response, the report notes that Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu issued an August 1 statement saying “the strongest deals happen at the table.” It records that the federal NDP issued a statement the morning of August 2, quoting NDP Leader Avi Lewis that “the right to strike is not an inconvenience it’s a cornerstone of our democracy” and that the strike is about “basic fairness, dignity and respect,” with Lewis adding, “No one should be expected to work for free.” The article states the NDP position that “the federal government must not use Section 107 to force flight attendants back to work, as it did with Air Canada workers last year,” and notes that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also voiced support for the workers, saying they should be paid from the time they arrive at work until the time they leave.