Here we go again. WestJet continues to make arbitrary and unreasonable changes to your scheduling system, and once again the AEA (Airport Employees Association) is nowhere to be seen.

WestJet is also cutting the hours for full time workers from 40 hours a week to 37.5, by bringing in mandatory 30-minute unpaid breaks.

None of this happened with your input, or okay. The AEA has been silent on the matter, once again failing to represent your interests.

This is not the first time WestJet has moved arbitrarily on the issue of scheduling. Last spring, of course, the employer decided to ask you and your co-workers whether you wanted scheduling to be based on seniority. WestJet released results from that vote showing that some locations liked the idea, and some did not.

WestJet, however, did not explain what the vote would mean to you or your schedules. Now, months later, it seems that the answer to that question is more arbitrary changes.

Scheduling, in the end, comes down to a matter of respect. Aside from doing a good job and receiving fair compensation for it, scheduling is a top priority for most workers. Scheduling is a major factor in determining quality of life. Good scheduling lets you plan your life better so you can spend good, quality time with your loved ones. Bad scheduling does not.

As we have said in past communications, good scheduling is based on three simple principles: predictability, flexibility and fairness.

The new bidding system has none of these.

At Unifor bargaining units at other airlines, we have negotiated scheduling procedures that put your needs front and centre, with such measures as schedules set six months in advance, at least two consecutive days off a week, the right to trade shifts easily, guaranteed days off with pay for bereavement, and more.

Perhaps most importantly, with Unifor the rules on scheduling are enshrined in the collective agreement to ensure fairness over favouritism. Having the rules in your collective agreement also means that you can file a grievance if the rules are violated, and ensure that a fair process is in place to settle the dispute. We will have more to say about how grievances work in future communications.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about how scheduling is handled in a unionized workplace, please reach out to one of your Organizers.

Contact us! Talk to our organizing representatives! 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