Unifor Information Session for WestJet YYZ and YEG

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Zoom question and answer event streamed on Facebook Live. To view or ask questions, go to our Facebook Group, Unifor in Teal. You can join the group at www.facebook.com/groups/uniforinteal

We have been getting several requests from Westjetters at YEG and YYZ about joining their co-workers at YYC and YVR as members of Unifor. This drop-in question and answer sessions will allow WestJetters the opportunity to ask Unifor representatives or other Unifor members about the Union.

Don’t get left behind, be sure you too have a collective voice in bargaining with your employer

To join in the online conversation about Unifor and to have a voice in the company, we encourage you to join the Facebook group, Unifor in Teal. Many of your co-workers are already members, many having joined since the pandemic began. We will also be making greater use of the #UniforInTeal hashtag on social media to encourage as much discussion as possible.

Learn about the Unifor Union Advantage
Join us at 20:00 EST 18:00 MST 17:00 PST
by clicking on www.facebook.com/groups/uniforinteal
Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Unifor Bargaining Unit Survey

The Unifor Bargaining Survey helps to ensure that all members can rate their priorities as we proceed to negotiate your first collective agreement. Thank you to those who have completed the survey; we have had 14 people at YVR, and 44 people at YYC take the time to share their priorities.

We encourage others to take the time to complete the survey. This survey will give your bargaining committee a better understanding of where people stand on crucial issues.

The survey can be completed here

The survey information will help the bargaining committee, and the Unifor representatives set bargaining objectives with WestJet. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Bargaining Committee representatives or alternates at your base.

If members from YYZ or YEG participate in the survey we are able to separate those results until they join the union.

YVR

Mark Ens
Contact: (778) 552-2344
[email protected]

Karen Berry
Contact: (705) 828-7795
[email protected]

Alternate:

Breanne Laihow
Contact: (778) 887-6156
[email protected]

YYC

Sherwin Antonio
Contact:  (403) 660-7154 
[email protected]

Sandeep Samrai
Contact: (403) 608-9392
[email protected]

Jamie Mote
Contact: (403) 606-0464
[email protected]

Alternate:

Lindsay Landry
Contact: (403) 850-4748
[email protected]

Welcome to the new Alternate Bargaining Committee member at YYC

Congrats to Lindsay Landry for joining as the alternate Bargaining committee member at YYC. Lindsay was the candidate with the next most votes should one of the elected members or alternates were unable to complete their term.

We wish Sheena Hazime the best of luck with her new role at WestJet. As a former AEA representative, it should be an easy transition as she takes on her new management role.

What is the status of the positions WestJet has disputed?

Airport Learning Coordinator, Coordinator Daily Duty, Coordinator IROP, Coordinator Workforce, Turnaround Coordinator and Quality Advisor

Unifor filed our response to the Board on June 14, 2021. At some point, they will either issue a decision (not likely), ask for further submissions from the employer (most likely) or order hearings in the matter (possibly). At this stage, the CIRB will move at its own pace. It could take months for a final decision.

The intern certification currently covers these positions; however, the Board reserves their right to amend the certificate once they make a final filing based on evidence provided by both parties.

You can read Unifor’s response to the Board here

Workplace Representatives

The elected Bargaining Committee members are participating in a three-day grievance handling course with Unifor this week. Unifor has negotiated with the employer that the bargaining committee will actively represent our members called into meetings with management once trained. If you are attending a meeting with management before this protocol changes, be sure to bring a notepad and pen to document all parts of the conversation.

As we move forward with other elections in the local, others will have opportunities to run for union positions to help build and support the local. The bargaining committee will negotiate the first collective agreement that will define some of these future roles. We will continue to keep you updated as we proceed with concrete timelines.

Members will vote to elect the Executive Board of the local and numerous workplace representatives such as stewards, chairpersons, Health and Safety, and more.

If you require any assistance or direction please reach out to your Bargaining Committee members as listed above or Unifor staff listed at the bottom of this email.

Union Dues

We have been receiving inquires about union dues. We have been asked this question several times throughout the organizing drive, but it is an excellent time to touch on it again.

What are union dues? Union dues are how workers pool their resources through a regular contribution to ensure to have the means to defend their collective interests. With dues from its members, Unifor provides a high level of professional and quality service both at the local and national level.

Union dues do not begin until 30 days after you have ratified your first collective agreement. Dues are set by Unifor’s national constitution at 1.35% of your gross monthly income and cannot be changed without a vote of the membership. You do not pay dues when you are off on WSIB, leave of absence, maternity or parental leave, or sick leave. Your dues are 100 percent tax-deductible.

How will my union dues be spent? Union dues help to provide services to Unifor members: legal services, health and safety expertise, bargaining representation, training and education, pension and benefits experts, and much more. Pooling our resources at both the local and national level gives us more power and a stronger voice as workers.

General Membership Zoom Meeting

Unifor 531 will have a Zoom Membership Meeting on August 4, 2021, at 4:00 pm PT (5:00 pm MT, 6:00 pm CT, 7:00 pm ET); and August 5, 2021, at 10:00 am PT (11:00 am MT, 12:00 pm CT, 1:00 pm ET).

A reminder email invite was sent to all Unifor local 531 members containing a link to RSVP for the meeting.

This meeting is open to all members. Members must register through Zoom.

If you haven't talked to your coworkers at YYC and YEG, let them know they can sign a Unifor Membership card today. It is time for them to join you at the bargaining table; they can do this at join.unifor.org/federalcard

Frances Galambosy
[email protected]
416.497.4110

Leslie Dias
[email protected]
416.315.2134

Billy O’Neill
[email protected]
416.605.1443