CALGARY, Nov. 10, 2026 — The union for WestJet Encore flight attendants has filed a notice of dispute with Canada’s federal government. The filing moves contract talks with WestJet’s regional airline into federal conciliation.
The dispute
CUPE 8125 represents about 4,700 WestJet and Encore flight attendants. It says about seven months of bargaining for the Encore group have produced limited progress. The main issues are ending unpaid work, pay parity with WestJet mainline cabin crew, and working conditions. The union says a strike is not imminent. CUPE 8125 president Hussain put it this way: “The ball is in WestJet’s court.”
The timeline
| Step | Length |
|---|---|
| Federal conciliation | Up to 60 days |
| Cooling-off period | 21 days |
| Notice before any strike or lockout | 72 hours |
| Date the notice was filed | TBA |
| Earliest possible strike or lockout date | TBA |
Under the Canada Labour Code steps described by Open Jaw, a legal strike or lockout could come no sooner than roughly 12 weeks after the notice, and only if conciliation fails.
What it means for non-revs
- Nothing changes for Encore flying now. Standby on Encore’s Q400 and regional network is unaffected for the near term.
- Mark late winter 2027 as the window to watch. If conciliation and the cooling-off period run their full length, strike risk falls in that period. Check for a 72-hour notice before booking trips that depend on Encore.
- Mainline WestJet flight attendants are in the same union. Any action would be limited to the Encore group unless that changes.
Sources
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