Canadian carrier WestJet has responded to threats of a possible flight attendant strike by issuing its own 72-hour deadline as an industrial dispute over contracts deepens. On July 30, 2026, WestJet said it was issuing a lockout notice after members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 8125 announced a 72-hour strike notice. Alex JW Robinson / Shutterstock.comCUPE 8125 has stated that its strike notice does not mean flight attendants want to commence industrial action. The union claims that WestJet flight attendants carry out unpaid work up to 35 hours every month. In its statement WestJet said: “Should flight delays or cancellations occur, impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable.