Every worker, including WestJet workers, has the right to join a union of their choosing, free of undue influence, threats or coercion from the employer – and that includes WestJet workers.
This isn’t the first time we’ve reached out to talk about your rights in an Organizing drive - and likely won’t be the last, since we have heard that some WestJet managers continue to give incorrect information to workers. This is frustrating, to be honest. WestJet management is fully aware of your rights and its own obligations, and has spoken to WestJet managers about this.
Unifor will continue to defend your rights. Under sections 94, 96, 97 and 99 of the Canada Labour Code:
- You have the right to discuss joining Unifor on your own time. This includes breaks and lunchtime, including in break rooms, as well as before and after your shift.
- You are allowed to talk about joining the union anywhere in the airport, as long as it is on your own time – including breaks, lunch or before and after work.
- No employer can take away your right to sign a union card, including by requiring you to sign an employment contract that includes a clause stating that you won’t sign a union card.
- You can discuss joining Unifor while wearing your uniform.
- It is your right to sign Unifor membership cards on your own time, including in break rooms.
- You are free to read Unifor materials on your own time, including in break rooms.
- You have the right to express your own opinions about unionization on your own time, including in break rooms.
Basically, it comes down to this: you have the right to discuss joining a union, reading union materials and signing a union card anywhere (and wearing whatever you want) as long as it is on your own time. Breaks and lunch are your own time, as well as before and after work.
You do not, however, have the right to impede the functioning of the business, which is why you must discuss joining Unifor and sign cards on your own time. This restriction does not apply to break rooms.
Please let one of your Organizers know if the employer violates your rights during this organizing drive.
If you have any questions at all, please contact your organizing team:
All calls are confidential.
Ontario
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
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