07/28/2026
The Alberta Teachers’ Association has issued the following statement affirming support for WestJet flight attendants and their right to fair pay and free collective bargaining.
“The Alberta Teachers’ Association stands in solidarity with the 4,000 WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE Local 8125. These workers are trained safety professionals whose time and expertise deserve to be fully recognized and fairly compensated.
When workers are required to carry out mandatory duties without pay, it undermines both basic fairness and the integrity of collective agreements. Every hour they are required to work should be an hour paid.
The right to strike is a fundamental part of free collective bargaining, not a privilege to be withdrawn when it is inconvenient. A right that can be taken away at the moment workers are prepared to use it is not much of a right at all.
We call on WestJet to bargain seriously, end unpaid work, and reach a fair agreement with its flight attendants. We also call on the federal government to respect these workers, respect the bargaining process, and respect their right to strike by allowing the parties to reach a negotiated agreement without unnecessary intervention.
Alberta’s labour movement has made it clear: when one group of organized workers stands up against unpaid work and defends the right to strike, they do not stand alone. The Association will continue to stand with workers who fight for fair treatment and free collective bargaining.”
07/28/2026