We need to talk honestly about the 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.

They 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 admitted that transborder demand has not come back.

The company went from planning ten percent growth to shrinking by fifteen percent.

They confirmed the loss is permanent and the company is now adjusting to a smaller operation.

This alone signals restructuring ahead.

Leadership’s Direct Warnings

Here are the exact lines workers need to pay attention to.

“Labour costs are outpacing inflation.”

“We are finalizing costs and reviewing the budget. Nothing is off the table.”

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

These phrases are used when a company is preparing workers for reductions.

They are easing people toward acceptance of cuts, outsourcing and job changes.

Shifting the Message to Doing More With Less

Leadership repeatedly talked about

“productive and effective ways of working”

and “acting like an owner.”

Workers know the truth. They are not owners and have no say in these decisions.

This messaging is used when companies want staff to quietly absorb the fallout.

The Outsourcing Risk Is Immediate

When WestJet comes under pressure, they do not hide how they respond.

More than four hundred jobs have already been offshored to El Salvador.

Chat support was pushed to India and El Salvador.

These decisions were possible because workers had no contract to protect them. With leadership now saying labour costs are too high and nothing is off the table, the next round of outsourcing can happen at any time.

Workers Cannot Wait for an Announcement

Once you receive an email saying your job is being reviewed or transferred, the decision is already made.

A union contract is the only tool that forces WestJet to bargain and prevents unilateral outsourcing.

Without that protection, workers are exposed in the exact moment when the company is signalling cuts.

This Is Urgent

WestJet has shown you the direction the company is heading.

The question now is whether workers act while they still have the chance.

If you have not signed your Unifor membership card yet, now is the time.

Protect yourself, protect your coworkers and make sure you have a say before decisions are finalized.

Sign your card here: join.unifor.org/westjet

In solidarity,

Unifor Organizing Team