WestJet has announced voluntary separation offers to Contact Centre team members. On the surface, this may look like just another “business decision,” but it’s part of a bigger pattern we’ve been warning about: outsourcing Canadian jobs while expanding contracted operations abroad.

Back in October 2024, we raised concerns that WestJet’s plan to outsource Contact Centre work would cost hundreds of good Canadian jobs. Sadly, we were right. The Sales & Service Agent group has already been reduced to just over 300 positions. TELUS continues to actively hire WestJet Contact Centre agents in El Salvador.

Now, instead of real job security, WestJet is pressuring workers to “choose” voluntary separation—framing it as though the only other option would be layoffs with nothing. That’s insulting. Under the Canada Labour Code, employees are entitled to minimum notice or severance pay if they are laid off. A union contract can go much further, guaranteeing stronger severance, recall rights, and protections against contracting out.

Onex’s Outsourcing Playbook

WestJet’s owner, Onex, has a clear and troubling history of cutting jobs through outsourcing:

• Sitel Worldwide (2008): Onex bought one of the world’s largest customer service outsourcing firms and expanded its offshore call centre operations. This is the exact same strategy they are now using at WestJet—only this time, instead of running the outsourcing company themselves, they’re relying on TELUS to do it for them. Just like at Sitel, once the work was pushed offshore and profits were maximized, Onex sold its stake in 2015.

• At WestJet (2020): Over 3,000 airport jobs were outsourced while workers had no union protection.

• Spirit Airlines (2006), Spirit AeroSystems (2005), Hawker Beechcraft (2007): The same cycle repeated—buy companies, outsource jobs, cut costs, squeeze out profit, then sell.

The pattern is always the same: expand outsourcing, reduce Canadian jobs, boost short-term profit, and leave workers behind.

Why a Union Matters

Without a union, WestJet controls every option on the table.

With a union, workers decide the terms. A collective agreement can include:

• No contracting-out clauses – your work stays yours.

• Recall rights – a guaranteed path back if layoffs happen.

• Clear notice and process – no more surprises.

• Enhanced severance – far better than the Canada Labour Code minimums.

• A real voice at the table – decisions about your jobs made with you, not without you.

This is why joining together in Unifor is your best hope to protect your jobs and build a better future. At Air Canada, workers already have these protections in their collective agreement—that’s why their jobs are more secure.

Take Action Now

Hundreds of jobs have already been replaced, and TELUS is still hiring for WestJet jobs in El Salvador. The only way to stop this is by coming together and building your union.

If your card has expired or you haven’t signed yet, do it today:
join.unifor.org/westjet

Together, you have the power to fight for your jobs and win the protections you deserve.

If you're not sure whether your card is still valid, or if you’re just getting started, reach out to an organizer and we’ll help you check.

In solidarity,

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

Don’t wait—click here to sign your card today!