According to WestJet, about 309 flights have already been cancelled as of Sunday morning. (Photo: WestJet website)Flight attendants at WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, went on strike on Sunday in a dispute over pay that has grounded flights during one of the busiest summer holiday weekends in the nation.According to WestJet, about 309 flights have already been cancelled as of Sunday morning, BBC reported. The strike was announced by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 4,400 cabin crew at the airline. The decision affects travellers’ three-day weekend plans.Pay dispute over ‘ground work’ at heart of strikeOne of the primary factors that led to the announcement of strikes was how the cabin crews should be paid, specifically the payment for the work the cabin crew does before the flight takes off, also known as ground pay in the airline industry. The union has claimed that some of that work done on the ground remains unpaid, and cited pay through a “credit hour” system instead of an hourly rate.This evening, WestJet began to initiate an organised take-down of its network and will start issuing flight cancellations to guests. Learn more on our Newsroom: https://t.co/MNL7c7N8ZZ— WestJet News (@WestJetNews) August 1, 2026The union has claimed that flight attendants are expected to work up to 35 hours per month without getting paid for those hours as the duties are performed before the flight’s departure. However, WestJet has said wages paid under the credit hour system include compensation for work done before take-off and landing, BBC reported.According to WestJet, flight attendants earn anywhere between $20 and $41 per hour, the report added.Guests travelling are advised to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport. https://t.co/YsnKCEQvc7 pic.twitter.com/ZNiBjHMMU0— WestJet (@WestJet) August 1, 2026WestJet says it offered higher wages“We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn’t accepted,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, ABC News reported.Union says talks failed despite last-minute effortsThe union had informed WestJet on Thursday that a strike would come if talks didn’t produce a result, giving the airline 72 hours’ notice. WestJet had then issued a lockout notice, Reuters reported.The union said that it tried to strike a deal with WestJet until the last minute, but that “WestJet’s offer did not go far enough.”“We are on strike because we believe we deserve better. We are ready to go back to the table to settle,” said Alia Hussain, president of the union’s WestJet component.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram