Thousands of Canadian travellers could face major August long-weekend disruptions as approximately 4,400 unionized WestJet flight attendants await the results of a crucial strike vote expected Wednesday.

If members of CUPE Local 8125 vote in favour of strike action, flight attendants could legally walk off the job as early as Sunday, August 2 — potentially grounding WestJet flights just one day before a statutory holiday in many Canadian provinces.

WestJet could also initiate a lockout from the same date once the federal cooling-off period ends. Either side must provide 72 hours’ notice before taking action, meaning passengers may not know the fate of their August travel plans until the end of July.

At the centre of the dispute are wages, scheduling and how flight attendants are compensated for duties performed while aircraft are on the ground.

The union claims flight attendants perform an average of 35 hours of unpaid duties each month, including boarding, deplaning and working through ground delays.

“Every time we board a plane, we aren’t getting paid,” WestJet flight attendants have said as part of the union’s campaign.

CUPE Local 8125 President Alia Hussain says WestJet cabin crew are among the lowest-paid flight attendants at Canada’s major airlines and argues the current pay system must change.

WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech acknowledged that the previous agreement was negotiated during the pandemic and said there is “a lot of catch-up to be done” after wages fell behind inflation.

However, the airline maintains that flight attendants are compensated for every hour worked through a “credit hour” system — a pay model WestJet describes as standard across North America.

Both sides say negotiations are continuing, with federal conciliators still involved and a deal remaining the preferred outcome.

WestJet last faced a major labour disruption during the Canada Day long weekend in 2024, when a mechanics’ strike affected tens of thousands of travellers.