An important update for TAPS workers

We wanted to share an important update with members of the Technical Administrative and Professional Support group at WestJet, as events are moving quickly.

Unifor currently has an outstanding application before the Labour Board for Crew Schedulers, which is awaiting a ruling. In addition, on December 18, 2025, Unifor filed an application for certification covering the Contact Centre group. These applications reflect a growing determination among WestJet workers to secure real protections, fair agreements, and a meaningful voice at work.

Momentum is building across TAPS

Over the past few weeks, many workers from across TAPS departments have signed Unifor membership cards. We welcome you and are encouraged by the momentum building across professional, technical, and administrative roles. More and more workers are choosing to organize together to bring fairness, stability, and transparency to workplace rules, compensation, and decision making through negotiated agreements.

What leadership said in the recent livestream

We also need to talk honestly about the recent livestream from WestJet leadership. What was said in that meeting should concern every worker who does not have the protections of a union collective agreement.

Leadership did not announce cuts, but they described the exact conditions that come right before cuts and outsourcing. This is the moment when workers decide whether they will protect themselves, or wait until decisions are made without them.

A quarter of the business has collapsed

Leadership acknowledged that a quarter of the business has effectively collapsed. Transborder demand has not returned. The company moved from planning ten percent growth to shrinking by fifteen percent and confirmed that this loss is permanent. WestJet is now adjusting to a smaller operation. That alone signals restructuring ahead.

Direct warnings workers should not ignore

Leadership used language that workers should pay close attention to.

Labour costs are outpacing inflation.

The company is finalizing costs and reviewing the budget, with nothing off the table.

It is too early to tell if there will be job cuts.

These are not neutral statements. This is the language used when companies are preparing workers for reductions, outsourcing, and significant job changes.

Doing more with less is not protection

At the same time, leadership repeatedly spoke about being more productive, working more effectively, and acting like an owner. Workers know the reality. Workers are not owners and do not have a say when decisions are made behind closed doors. This kind of messaging is often used to shift the burden onto workers while management restructures.

Why workers are turning to the union

This is why more and more workers across WestJet are turning to the union. A union collective agreement is how workers negotiate protections, fair compensation, clear rules, and enforceable processes instead of being asked to absorb uncertainty alone.

Update your membership if needed

If you previously signed a Unifor membership card more than six months ago, we invite you to update your membership so it can be counted. Cards can be updated online at
join.unifor.org/westjet

Do not get left behind

Things are changing fast at WestJet. Workers across departments are organizing, standing together, and making sure they are not left behind. The movement to unionize is growing, and TAPS workers are a critical part of that momentum.

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