Looking Ahead to 2026

As we enter the new year, Unifor would like to extend our sincere wishes for a happy, healthy, and hopeful 2026 to all WestJet Contact Centre employees. The year ahead holds real opportunity and momentum as you continue to move forward together in pursuit of fairness, security, and a stronger collective voice at work.

Employer Response to the Certification Application

Unifor has now received the employer’s formal response to the union’s application for certification for the Contact Centre. As anticipated, the employer has taken the position that APPR agents should be excluded from the proposed bargaining unit. While the employer has outlined its view, Unifor remains firm in its position that APPR agents have the right to unionize.

The union will be advancing clear and well supported arguments that APPR agents share a strong community of interest with Contact Centre employees and ought to be included in the bargaining unit, regardless of any anticipated changes to reporting structures in the months ahead.

Group Sales and Quality Classifications

The employer has also taken the position that Group Sales Specialists and Specialists Quality should be included in the proposed bargaining unit. Unifor has had limited direct contact with Group Sales employees, as this group has historically fallen under the TAPS umbrella. If you have colleagues working in these classifications, we encourage you to let them know that Unifor is available to answer questions and provide accurate information about the certification process and what unionization can mean for them.

Classifications the Employer Seeks to Exclude

In addition, the employer has taken the position that the following classifications should be excluded from the bargaining unit: Business Travel Coordinators, GSUP Coordinator, CC Coordinator, and the Schedule Change Team.

Next Steps in the Process

Unifor will be filing its reply to the employer’s response in the coming days. We will continue to keep everyone informed at each stage of the process and ensure transparency as the application moves forward through the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

Why Unionization Matters

As this process continues, it is important to stay grounded in why Contact Centre employees are seeking unionization. Across the country and across industries, unionized workers consistently achieve stronger job security, fairer scheduling, clearer rules around discipline and workload, meaningful benefits, and a real voice in decisions that affect their working lives.

Unionized workers have enforceable rights that protect their jobs from outsourcing, access to representation, and the power of collective bargaining to secure improvements that are not left to unilateral employer decision making. Time and again, workers who organize together are better positioned to protect their jobs, improve wages and benefits, and create respectful and sustainable workplaces.

Standing With You

Rest assured, Unifor will have your back and will continue to advocate in your best interests at every step of this process. Unionization is about being able to sit across the table from your employer as equals and negotiate your future security and working conditions collectively.

We look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2026 and beyond.

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