Approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants across the country are now on strike after talks broke down between the airline and CUPE 8125.
It means cancellation of flights for tens of thousands of passengers.
In a statement Sunday morning, the airline says they are disappointed to share the news that as of 12:01 a.m., fights have been suspended.
“We deeply regret the impact this is having on our guests travel plans,” says the statement.
WestJet says the proposal would set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making them the only airline that would pay when members are not in the air.
“Addressing the union’s priorities around compensation, by making WestJet the only airline in Canada to offer an hourly rate, covering all times before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in one year among other priorities the union raised,” says WestJet.
The union issued its own statement Sunday morning.
“We tried until the very last minute to get a fair deal that recognizes the value of the work cabin crews do,” said CUPE 8125 president Alia Hussain. “WestJet’s offer did not go far enough.”
Hussain said the union is on strike because members believe they deserve better.
She added CUPE is ready to return to the negotiating table to settle, and the union hopes the federal government will not interfere and let the bargaining process continue.
Hussain also said WestJet could have avoided this situation.
“We would not be here if they had taken our concerns seriously for almost 11 months of bargaining,” she said.
The airline and the union have been bargaining around the clock for days with wages and unpaid work key sticking points.
Minister of Jobs Patty Hajdu says she has been on the ground during bargaining over the last two days and says this development is disappointing.
But there is still hope.
“A strike or lockout does not mean an agreement can’t be reached; the expectation is that parties can and should come to an agreement at the bargaining table,” says Hadju.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is warning about major consequences if 4,400 WestJet flight attendants walk off the job in a matter of days.
Monday is a holiday nationwide. CFIB says a strike during one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer, even if short, could have a significant impact on business plans.
“Our research shows that one-third of all small businesses rely on summer tourism for their revenues. A prolonged [strike] that eliminates travel for half the summer would be devastating.”
CUPE and WestJet continue to bargain, but according to the union remain far apart on some key issues – unpaid work and wages.
The federation calls on WestJet and the union to reach an agreement and avoid any disruption to service.
“If they’re unable to do so, Ottawa must be ready to intervene and avoid the economic damage a work stoppage in the heart of tourism season would have on Canada’s economy.”
The union representing 4,400 WestJet flight attendants has issued a 72-hour strike notice.
Bargaining between CUPE 8125 and the airline has been ongoing while the two remain at odds.
CUPE says their members have been clear about what they are fighting for from the beginning, but the parties remain far apart on some key issues.
In a statement, Thursday, Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer of the WestJet Group says the decision to lockout members was not made lightly.
“We greatly value the work and contributions of our Cabin Crew, and it is our responsibility to ensure the integrity of our network and to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, crew and aircraft.”
Hoensbroech says the lockout does not mean an immediate impact to operations or that a strike will even happen.
In a statement to Acadia News, president of the union Alia Hussain says they don’t want to strike but are prepared to if necessary.
“We want to continue bargaining, but it’s up to WestJet to make the meaningful progress needed to avoid a strike,” says Hussain.
Hussain adds that the biggest sticking point remains unpaid work and wage rates.
“Flight attendants should be paid for all the work they do, and we can no longer remain the lowest in Canada,” explains Hussain.
“It remains up to WestJet to end unpaid work and reach a fair deal without unpaid travel.”
The airline added change and cancel options earlier this week for fights scheduled between July 30 and August 4.
The airline also said WestJet Encore flights on Q400 aircraft and codeshare flights operated by partner carriers would not be affected if there is a disruption.
After rejecting a second tentative contract agreement and filing a 48-hour strike notice, the union representing hundreds of Nova Scotia Power (NSP) employees say the employer has reached out, improving its previous offer.
NSP is now offering a $1000 signing bonus for regular and eligible labor pool employees who have worked from April 1, 2026, with everything else staying the same.
The union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1928, says next steps include a new vote which will start Tuesday, July 28 at 2 p.m. and will close at 12 p.m. on July 31.
It was last Friday that members voted against the previous proposal, prompting the union to begin the formal process that could lead to job action.
On Monday, July 27, he union wrote in a statement:
“Dear Minister,
IBEW Local 1928 is filing our 48 hour notice on behalf of members working for Nova Scotia Power Inc., as required by the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act.”
– James Sponagle, Business Manager
In a letter updating members, the union shares the Negotiating Team will act as Strike Coordinators while Shop Stewards (elected union representatives) will become Strike Captains who will be responsible for overseeing specific locations where action could happen. All other members will be expected to report for picket duty where they work.
IBEW 1928 advises members to monitor for updates on social media and the website in the coming days. They add there will be a FAQ regarding expectations available.
In a third update on social media, the Negotiating Team sent out a letter explaining the rules for picketing if IBEW 1928 members walk off the job, highlighting that all members are required to participate in strike action.
Preparations for the strike began on July 13 when Sponagle delivered a notice to all members stating the union was in a mandatory “14-day cooling-off period”.
IBEW’s negotiating team says they met with NSP’s team at their head office on July 14 where they presented a new tentative agreement for IBEW 1928 members to vote on. It would have been a 3 year deal, expiring at the end of March of 2029.
The new offer also stated that it would “resolve the Outage Dispatch grievance to reinstate correct pay from the cyber security incident”, and include increases to expenses like meal chits, travel, and overtime pay.
Last week, eligible members could send in their votes beginning Wednesday morning until Friday at noon. IBEW shared the results quickly, letting members know that they would be filing the 48-hour notice with the Nova Scotia Labour Board on Monday morning.
The union says it will continue bargaining with NSP and remains hopeful a negotiated deal can be reached.
Details regarding negotiations are unclear right now. Acadia News has reached out to NSP and IBEW for more information.
Travellers are getting more flexibility from WestJet as talks with the union representing its cabin crew continue, and the possibility of a strike hangs over summer travel.
The airline said flexible change and cancel options are now available for flights scheduled between July 30 and Aug. 4.
WestJet said the policy was introduced because of heavy summer demand and the need for passengers to make decisions that fit their plans.
“Given the high volume of summer travel, we are providing guests with additional flexibility so they can make the travel decisions that best meet their needs,” the company said.
The airline also said WestJet Encore flights on Q400 aircraft and codeshare flights operated by partner carriers would not be affected if there is a disruption.
WestJet added that its bargaining team remains engaged in negotiations and is prepared to make improvements for cabin crew while balancing the long‑term sustainability of the company.
A daughter is blaming long-term care facility Harbour View Haven of neglect resulting in the death of her 94-year-old mother after she was found in critically ill condition, in a case she says doctors told her “could have all been avoided.”
“I called my mother every day. Even when we went down south every year, I still called her faithfully.”
On June 6 of 2026, Darlene Joudrey says she called her mother, noting that she was a little bit confused, her speech was a little slurred, and that she just wanted to sleep.
Joudrey says she received a letter from Harbour View Haven the day before alerting family of residents that a flu was going around the home and they were not allowed to visit until further notice. She says her mother had caught the flu.
“From June 6 to June 8, it was the same thing when I called her,” says Joudrey. “After I spoke with Mom, I always called the nurses and said, ‘My mother doesn’t seem right,’ and they kept telling me, ‘Oh no, your mama’s okay.’”
Joudrey says she received a call from the home on the morning of June 9. “They said Mom was up all night and was restless, but she was sleeping now. I asked if visiting was open, and they said no.”
Then, Joudrey says a friend had messaged her saying she was there visiting her mom.
“I had just been told no visitors were allowed,” Joudrey says, surprised. “I called again and was told the same thing, but I had a feeling something was not right.”
Despite staff saying the home was closed to visitors, she decided to go check on her mom.
“I went down that day and found her not alert, laying crossways on the bed. I said, ‘Mom, are you awake?’ There was no response whatsoever.”
Left photo: Violet Eisner with grandchildren at the end of May 2026. Right photo: Violet Eisner on June 9, 2026 when Darlene Joudrey found her. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Joudrey says she immediately notified the nurses that something was wrong.
“I told the nurse, ‘My mother needs medical attention. I want an ambulance called.’ She was hot, clammy, and not alert. The ambulance got there within 10 minutes. She had a temperature of 103, was having trouble breathing, and they took her to the South Shore Regional Hospital,” she explains.
“The doctor couldn’t believe someone was brought in from a nursing home in that kind of shape. She had pneumonia in both lungs, had aspirated vomit, and was severely dehydrated.”
Joudrey says hospital staff put her mother on IV fluids, strong antibiotics, and oxygen from Tuesday through Friday, but that she remained non-responsive the whole time.
“Friday, they said she wasn’t improving. I said, ‘Mom, squeeze my hand if you know I’m here,’ but she didn’t.”
Violet Eisner when Darlene Joudrey found her at Harbour View Haven. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
On Saturday, Joudrey says the doctor told her, ‘We’ve done everything. She was left too long at the nursing home. She’s not going to come out of this.’”
“He suggested removing the oxygen. I gave my consent, and within 15 minutes she was gone.”
After saying goodbye, Joudrey says, “We met with the nursing home, and they said my mother was ‘fine.’ I said, ‘She had a temperature of 103 and wasn’t alert. Why didn’t you call an ambulance?’
“They said it’s not their protocol.”
Joudrey says she is not interested in taking legal action at this time. “I’m not looking for money. I just want to make people aware that this is not right.”
She says her mother had been living in the home since October of 2024.
“When my mom went in there, I thought she would be cared for, have meals, and be safe. But during the strike, none of them got a bath for six weeks,” she says, frustrated. “I supported the nurses.”
Joudrey recounts the past few weeks and says “there was a decline during the strike. One day her bedding was so dirty I asked for sheets to change it myself.”
The long-term care strike began April 13, taking over 35 care homes and 3,600 workers across the province off the job for over 8 weeks.
“Cleanliness in the home was poor during the strike. Staff hours were cut, so less work was getting done.”
Joudrey notes that she noticed her mother’s health started declining following weeks of understaffed care at the facility due to the strike. However, at the time of Joudrey’s 911 call, she says, “They can’t use the excuse that the nurses were still on strike because the nurses was all back to work the day before that, so they were fully staffed.”
She pleads, “This was neglect. Anyone going into her room should have noticed a 103 fever. Why weren’t they watching her closer? Why didn’t they call me?”
“They only called to say she had been up all night and was now sleeping, but the shape I found her in, I don’t believe that at all,” says Joudrey.
“The CEO has never returned my calls to this day.”
In a statement to Acadia News, the home’s CEO Tim McAuley, says:
“Harbour View Haven extends our sincere condolences to the family on the loss of their loved one. We recognize this is a difficult time for the family.
Out of respect for the privacy of our residents and their families, we cannot comment on the care or circumstances of any individual resident.
We take any concerns about resident care seriously, and when they are raised, we review them through established processes. Harbour View Haven, like all long-term care homes in Nova Scotia, operates under provincial standards intended to support safe and accountable care.
Our focus every day is on providing compassionate care in a safe and respectful environment for all residents.”
Tim McAuley, CEO
Acadia News reached out to Nova Scotia Health representatives regarding Jourdrey’s concerns. Brendan Elliot, the Senior Advisor for Public Affairs, Content, & Media Relations, says in a statement:
“The Nova Scotia Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) prevents us from commenting on details relating to an individual’s specific health information or their care.”
Brendan Elliott, Senior Advisor Public Affairs, Content & Media Relations
Joudrey says she reached out to the provinces Protection for Persons in Care department to file a report of neglect.
“The case worker called me, and I said to her ‘I’ve got pictures of the shape that I found her in.’ And she said, ‘you keep those pictures. We will be investigating Harbor View Haven.’”
The union that represents long-term care workers says CUPE members at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home have ratified their new tentative agreement.
CUPE says it happened late Wednesday night and will now be voted on by other locals throughout Nova Scotia in coming days and weeks.
“I’m incredibly proud of the world the Lead Table bargaining team did,” says Community Care Committee Chair Christa Sweeney in a news release.
“It was a long, tiring process and it wouldn’t have been possible withouth the tremendous support and solidarity shown by long term care workers province-wide.”
For eight weeks, 3,600 from 36 nursing homes across the province, walked the picket lines fighting for higher wages.
The tentative deal was reached June 6 that involved a minimum $5 raise for all workers as well as additional wages for supervising and training students, and improved layoff protections.
Local 1082 acts as the Lead Table for the long-term sector bargaining. If other locals accept the deal, the strike will come to an end.
Over the past eight weeks, striking long-term care workers say they have balanced heavy workloads with picket-line advocacy, and some say the Essential Services Agreement (ESA) meant to protect them is now doing more harm than good.
During an open town hall last month, many CUPE members told the bargaining committee they feel unheard, say they’re still performing full duties, and face threats from employers if they try to enforce the ESA.
CUPE’s coordinator for long-term care and lead negotiator, Kim Cail, says, “From the CCA’s point of view, the employer’s expectation now is that things are normal. That means the schedule of people getting things like regular baths and showers as opposed to bed baths are being implemented back in, but they’re still working with less staff.”
Several members also expressed concern about enforcing the ESA while protecting themselves.
“I am aware that there have been a few members that have been disciplined for refusing to do something the employer wants to do. My suggestion is to start using the Occupational Health and Safety Act.”
Cail adds that, “If they’re expecting one person to do the work that typically two people would be doing, it’s not safe work. For the employer to expect them to do that work by themselves, it puts them at risk of hurting themselves.”
She clarifies that existing legislation still applies despite the job action.
“The intimidation and the threats that some of the employers are doing are violating that Health and Safety Act.”
Cail also says more duties have been added to the ESA over the course of the strike, placing additional pressure on already burnt-out workers.
“The workload would be atrocious for the number of CCA’s that are in the building to try to run things as if it was a normal day,” said Cail.
‘The loss of three residents impacted my choices and decisions’
In a letter to Acadia News, Local 1782 Vice-President and strike coordinator Laurie Pottie described how the growing list of ESA duties is affecting her mental health.
She said, “People need to know the truth of the ESA that did not protect our residents. To be the individual who sat on that committee who decided essential over non-essential has affected myself personally. Choices made that keep me awake at night.”
Pottie said the strike has led to mental fatigue among coworkers, management, residents’ families, and community members, adding that some staff are facing limited time with their families and experiencing work-related physical injuries.
“What was the purpose of an untested legislation for an ESA? Was it to protect our residents or was it a way to find cutbacks? “It caused loneliness, heartache, and isolation that I feel contributed to the loss of at least two of our residents,” Pottie tells Acadia News.
She adds that the workload was hard enough to accomplish on a normal day, and that teamwork gets them through. However, with chronic short staffing issues, everything is more challenging to maintain.
Cail says the ESA was initially negotiated for a strike expected to last “a week or two” and alleges employers have pushed to add staff positions previously deemed non-essential since the strike began on April 13.
So far, about 36 homes have joined the picket lines, with over 3,600 workers involved across Nova Scotia fighting higher wages. However, the province has maintained that the deal they are offering is fair and have encouraged members to vote on the offer presented.
Acadia News reached out to the province for further comment, but didn’t hear back in time for publishing.
About a dozen people who live in the community of St. Peter’s joined the CUPE picket line today.
They came out to support the thousands of CUPE long-term care employees who are on strike fighting for higher pay.
The labour dispute is into its eighth week.
Vice President of Local 1782, Laurie Pottie, tells us she is thankful the community came out to support them.
“I feel like for the past seven weeks, we’ve been left alone out here on this line to fight for a fight that was never fair in the first place,” she explains.
Pottie says she and her peers from Richmond Villa in St. Peter’s support each other and boost morale by hugging and dancing on the picket line.
Dietary Aid, Donna Cavanagh, shares with us she believes staff needs to be paid a fair wage.
“This should have never happened. Support staff deserve more than $18.77 an hour. We’re almost to a minimum wage. That is absolutely ridiculous,” she expresses.
“Tim Houston and Barb Adams need to step up the plate and get us back to work, where we belong.”
Pottie and Cavanagh both hope an agreement is reached before arbitration steps in to get a resolution to this fight.
CUPE said the government’s offer was tabled and rejected on May 7.
On Wednesday, May 27, the province’s Chief Conciliation and Mediation Officer, Peter Lloyd, pulled the plug on discussions and there were no new dates set to resume negotiations.
The union said last week another long-term care home is set to join the strike that currently has over 3,600 workers walking the picket lines.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says little progress was made after returning to the bargaining table for a second time since the long-term care strike began on April 13th.
The Lead Table Bargaining Team said in a statement last night that the government presented the same deal it has been offering since last August, despite tabling an amended proposal of their own.
In a press release, CUPE says the singular change from the government’s offer, previously tabled and rejected on May 7, was the addition of an amended version of a previous union proposal around CCAs mentoring students.
Long-term care coordinator, Kim Cail, says, “We’re bargaining with ourselves at this point.”
Talks were held with the assistance of the province’s Chief Conciliation and Mediation Officer, Peter Lloyd, who ultimately pulled the plug on discussions yesterday. There are currently no new dates set to resume negotiations.
The union says another long-term care home is set to join the strike, as pressure builds among more than 3,600 workers on the picket lines.
