Unpaid safety work spotlighted by WestJet flight attendants

CUPE Local 8125 launches 'Ultra Extra Basic' campaign to raise awareness about working conditions

WestJet flight attendants, represented by CUPE Local 8125, are launching a new campaign to highlight what they say is a persistent and troubling issue in Canada’s airline industry: unpaid safety-related work. The “Ultra Extra Basic” campaign, a play on WestJet’s fare structure, seeks to raise public and industry awareness about the lack of compensation for mandatory safety and security duties performed by flight attendants before every flight.

Alia Hussain, president of CUPE 8125, says the campaign aims to draw attention to the airline’s approach to employee compensation. “While WestJet is giving consumers choices on what frills they want, they’re also taking that same approach with their em