We continue to see significant changes in Canada’s airline sector with more routes cut, increased layoffs and greater insecurity for workers. Companies continue to adjust schedules because of decreased demand.
There have been speculations that many flights to sun destinations will face further reductions due to lack of demand and government restrictions on air travel.
Unifor continues to demand the federal government stop delaying and create a National Aviation Strategy to prevent this crisis from destroying the industry.
WestJet workers continue to reach out to Unifor to support their efforts in lobbying to save airline jobs. They look to Unifor as part of the solution to helping their voice in both the workplace and the community, calling for an airline strategy that protects workers.
The internal WestJet Airline Employees Association (AEA) Chair, Brad Cherrington remains silent, but that is not a surprise. He supported Onex WestJet as they outsourced thousands of loyal WestJetters to third party ground handling companies. It is no wonder the AEA fails to call for a National Aviation Strategy that puts workers first and ensures that government support must protect good-paying airline jobs.
Through all of this, workers remain hopeful that better days lie ahead for the airline sector. They understand that they can negotiate language with a Unifor Collective Agreement that protects their jobs from further outsourcing. They can increase recall language with precise wording that addresses workplace rules and working conditions. As members of Unifor, WestJetters look forward to taking a seat at the table and being part of the solution as an equal when negotiating their future with Onex WestJet.
If you have any questions or would like to sign a Unifor card or help your co-workers sign a card, please reach out to one of your organizers.
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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