We are lucky in Canada to have, compared to many countries, pretty decent labour laws. They could be better, for sure, but we have laws that govern such things as health and safety, overtime, hours of work, vacations, paid holidays, and more.

But those laws are only as good as the ability to enforce them.

The AEA proved that point just this week, with its ambiguous email to WestJetters about layoffs and recall – but made no mention of keeping tenure, wages, or what happens after October 1.

That’s just not good enough. You shouldn’t have to read between the lines to figure out what’s happening to you and your job.

A real union is there for you every day, on the floor, making sure your collective agreement is respected and the employer lives up to promises it has made on how it will conduct its business and treat workers.

On their own, workers can be unwilling or unable to enforce rules or laws they feel have been broken by the employer. How many times have you seen a co-worker take on added hours without claiming overtime, for example? How often have you felt pressure to do so yourself?

With a union, labour laws become part of your collective agreement. That means, through your union, that you can address any violations of the law, including filing a grievance over the issue if need be.

Other workers at WestJet are seeing the advantage of having a voice in the workplace as the company and the industry go through this difficult time, including ALPA representing the pilots, who also send a simple message to you: “ALPA Canada and WestJet pilots support WestJet airports and call centre employees in joining Unifor Canada. You deserve a great union and a fair contract.”

The rules of your workplace are set out in the collective agreement itself, and are fully grievable. Any promises made by the company can also be enforced through the union.

Unifor is a member-driven union. That means the way your Local works with the employer to settle disputes over interpretations of the collective agreement and relevant legislation is determined by you. You will elect the Local leadership that deals most directly with the employer.

Without a union, you are alone when you try to ensure the employer works according to the laws and rules governing your workplace. As part of a union, you have a real voice in the workplace.

Maybe. Perhaps. At some point, seem to be the standard response from WestJet’s employee associations.
It all might sound good, but there’s nothing to really hang your hat on or hold anyone to account if the promises go unfulfilled and the rumours prove false.

Without a union, you have only whispers and promises and no way to hold the company to them.

Even before such a contract is negotiated, joining a union offers you protection. Under the freeze provisions of the federal labour laws governing union certification, the company cannot change your working condition once a union has filed for certification.

In effect, your working conditions are frozen while a first contract is negotiated – meaning the company can’t make any changes to the workplace without talking to your union.

This only happens, however, once a union is certified. Until then, the company is free to make whatever changes it wants, including cuts.

Flight attendants, pilots and dispatchers already have this protection, either because they are covered by a collective agreement or are covered by the freeze provision.

It’s time for frontline airport workers and call centre employees to gain a voice, too. With so many rumours flying, only a union can provide stability and predictability.

Getting a collective agreement begins with more of your co-workers signing a Unifor membership card. That has never been easier, thanks to our new online card. Just click on the Join Unifor button above. Please forward this email to co-workers so they fill out an online card.

Feel free, as well, to tell them to reach out to any of our organizers if they have any questions. We are here to help, and all calls are confidential.

Billy O'Neill, Unifor
[email protected] | 416-605-1443

Quebec
Ada Zampini, Unifor
[email protected] | 514-701-6227

Prairies
Bruce Fafard, Unifor
[email protected] | 587-341-0945

British Columbia
Simon Lau, Unifor
[email protected] | 778-928-9630

Atlantic
Patrick Murray, Unifor
[email protected] | 506-850-7996