I’m writing to update you on the current status of our application to unionize WestJet Crew Schedulers.

Unifor’s application was filed to represent Crew Schedulers employed by WestJet (mainline). We believe this is a distinct and appropriate group for collective bargaining—based on employer structure, contracts, and previous rulings from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).

However, WestJet has responded by arguing that the bargaining unit should also include schedulers at WestJet Encore and new hires at Sunwing in the employee count who weren’t part of the workplace at the time of the application. Their position is that all schedulers—regardless of which WestJet entity they work for—should be treated as a single group due to shared systems and management ties.

We want to be clear: we absolutely believe that Crew Schedulers at Encore would also benefit from union representation and a Unifor collective agreement. We intended to organize this group separately, just as pilots, in-flight, and other workgroups have done. We believe WestJet is attempting to consolidate all schedulers now as a means to delay the process and complicate the path to certification.

That said, if the CIRB includes Encore schedulers in the unit, we want to be ready. That’s why we’re now encouraging all crew schedulers, lead crew schedulers and shift lead crew schedulers to sign a confidential Unifor membership card at join.unifor.org/westjet. This helps ensure that, regardless of how the Board rules, we’ll have the necessary support to move forward.

We’ll continue to provide updates as the process unfolds. In the meantime, if you have colleagues at Mainline, Encore, or new hires from Sunwing who have questions or would like to sign a card, please don’t hesitate to connect them with me.

Thanks again for standing with your coworkers and building a stronger voice for all Crew Schedulers.

You’ve already done so much. Let’s cross the finish line together.

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!