An Open Letter to YEG and YYZ from the Bargaining Committee at YYC and YVR

We are excited to hear about the momentum in card signing at your bases. We remember the final push for union awareness and card collecting in our bases to hit a majority of support before filling for union certification.

The dedication and commitment to bring the union into the workforce is no easy task.

From our own experience, we recall many late nights and group brainstorming to raise awareness with our fellow WestJetters about the advantages of joining Unifor. With many out of the workplace, it was harder to get the message to them.

We are available as a resource to answer any questions you may have about the union advantage.

In the coming months, we will be meeting with WestJet to negotiate our first collective agreement. As part of this, we have done surveys and outreach to our fellow Westjetters to hear what they would like to see in our first collective agreement. We will be holding proposal meetings with members to fully engage everyone to listen to what is important to them and what improvements they would like to see.

While we continue to build forward with our success, we encourage you to join us to make sure you are an active part in negotiating a collective agreement with input from all locations; we are Stronger Together.

Since joining Unifor, we have felt support like no other; we have been working with a committed group of National Staff Representatives who are always available to work with us to solve any issues or concerns arising in the workplace.

Even before negotiating our first collective agreement, we have seen a fundamental switch in how the voice of frontline workers is amplified when we bring forward workplace concerns such as scheduling.

We have successfully had WestJet change how it added additional shifts or hours to our schedule; they are now providing more notice and are required to do more outreach.

As members of the bargaining committee, we completed our first worker-driven education program from Unifor. This Grievance Handling course has given us tools to support our coworkers when called into management meetings. As union representatives, we will be an active part of these meetings, often speaking on your behalf when required to ensure your rights are upheld.

Over the last number of months, we have had the opportunity to discuss with other WestJetters about our exciting future. The chance to sit as equals with Westjet management, discuss issues, and work together to resolve problems and set out protocols that support a vibrant and robust Westjet for the future has been exciting.
Joining Unifor isn’t against WestJet; it’s for WestJet. It ensures that we, as proud WestJetters, have a strong voice and an active role in the long-term success of both Westjet and its workers.

In solidarity,
Unifor Local 531 Bargaining Committee Members

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