As many of you are aware, Unifor filed an Unfair Labour Practice complaint against Onex WestJet after the company failed to provide Crew Schedulers with the wage increases that were granted to other employees working in the Operations Control Centre. In addition, the employer did not provide the premium payments that had been promised to employees who participated in training.

Mediation with the Canada Industrial Relations Board

Recently, Unifor National Representatives and a lawyer from Unifor’s Legal Department met with Onex WestJet management and their legal, along with an Industrial Relations Officer from the Canada Industrial Relations Board, in an effort to mediate a resolution to this Unfair Labour Practice complaint.

Unifor’s position has been clear. Workers who were wrongly denied these wage increases must receive the raises that were provided to other OCC employees, along with compensation for the wages that were withheld during this period.

This remains the starting point for ensuring that all Crew Schedulers affected by this decision are made whole, including mainline Crew Schedulers, Encore Crew Schedulers, and former Sunwing Crew Schedulers.

Unifor also raised serious concerns that the employer’s actions have created a chilling effect for other non union workers at WestJet, particularly within the Operations Control Centre.

Mediation Was Not Successful

Unfortunately, mediation was not successful and we regret to inform you that an agreement could not be reached with the employer.

As a result, the Unfair Labour Practice complaint will now continue through the normal process at the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The employer has fifteen days to provide a written response to the union’s complaint. After that response is received, the union will have ten days to reply.

Unifor remains confident that the facts are on the side of the workers and that the Board will ultimately rule in favour of the union.

What Happens Next

We continue to await the Board’s decisions on both the Unfair Labour Practice complaint and the certification application filed on behalf of Crew Schedulers.

Unifor has also raised with the Board that these two matters are closely connected and that the issues should be considered together since the outcome of one will directly affect the other.

Matters Currently Before the Board

There are several important matters currently before the Canada Industrial Relations Board:

• The Unfair Labour Practice complaint related to withheld wages
• The scope of the certification application
• Whether the bargaining unit will consist of mainline Crew Schedulers only
• Whether a vote should be ordered for a broader group including all Crew Schedulers

Thank You for Your Continued Support

We recognize that this has been a long journey for those seeking to secure union representation and we sincerely appreciate the continued support and commitment shown by Crew Schedulers throughout this process.

It remains important to continue speaking with colleagues so everyone understands that the union is actively fighting for fair treatment and compensation for those negatively impacted by Onex WestJet’s decision.

We will continue to keep you informed as developments occur.

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

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