Unifor Air Canada customer service agents have ratified a new four-year collective agreement that delivers significant gains for more than 6,000 workers across airports, contact centres, customer relations and customer journey management. The agreement was ratified by 94% of participating members following more than three months of negotiations.

The new agreement includes:

• 21% compounded wage increases over the life of the agreement
• Strengthened pension provisions
• Enhanced health, dental and vision benefits
• Improved mental health and paramedical coverage
• Earlier access to additional vacation entitlements
• New telework language for contact centre and customer relations employees
• Stronger technological change protections and job security language

This agreement follows another major Unifor aviation victory earlier this year when Air Canada Flight Operations Crew Scheduling members ratified a four-year collective agreement that delivered a 12% wage increase in the first year alone and more than 21% in total wage improvements over the life of the agreement.

Taken together, these agreements demonstrate that Unifor aviation members across multiple classifications are achieving some of the strongest bargaining gains in the Canadian aviation industry. Whether workers are scheduling flights, serving customers at airports, supporting passengers through contact centres or working behind the scenes, Unifor members are raising standards for aviation workers across the country.

For WestJet workers, and especially those who are currently awaiting decisions from the Canada Industrial Relations Board regarding certification applications, these agreements provide an important example of what can be achieved through collective bargaining and a strong union voice in the workplace.

Every employer is different, and no union can promise that the gains achieved at one airline will automatically be replicated at another. Bargaining outcomes are determined by many factors, including the priorities of workers, the circumstances of the employer and the strength workers demonstrate throughout the organizing and bargaining process.

What these Air Canada agreements do demonstrate is that when aviation workers come together, build collective strength and bargain through Unifor, they are in a much stronger position to negotiate improvements to wages, benefits, pensions, scheduling protections, remote work arrangements, technological change protections and job security than they are on their own.

Across Canada's aviation industry, workers continue to choose Unifor because of our proven track record of delivering results. From Air Canada to WestJet and beyond, Unifor is helping aviation workers secure a stronger voice at work and a greater share of the success they help create.

The momentum for aviation workers in Canada continues to grow, and Unifor is proud to be leading that movement.

Billy O'Neill
Unifor National Representative, Organizing
416.605.1443
billy.oneill@unifor.org

Lucy Alessio
Unifor National Representative, Organizing
416.998.3189
lucy.alessio@unifor.org