Airports
WestJetters at YYZ and YEG continue to sign Unifor membership cards with excitement to join their coworkers at YVR and YYC at the bargaining table. Airports agents are feeling somewhat of a reprieve from the busy holiday season, often missing their scheduled breaks and lunches due to understaffing from WestJet.
The frustration from the travelling public all too often crossed the line, agents faced abuse and ridicule for a situation that they did not cause, but as the front line for WestJet, most of the anger was directed at them. We are sorry you were exposed to such behaviour.
Our members in Calgary and Vancouver knew they had the support of Unifor in these difficult times with provisions that allowed for breaks and compensation if they were missed. Although there is no collective agreement in place, members felt reassured that they had the union’s backing if difficulties arose.
The Unifor bargaining team is currently in Vancouver negotiating with WestJet working towards a collective agreement that ensures transparent processes and protocols are in place to ensure workers’ rights are protected as we move forward.
Contact Centre Improvements
In addition to airports workers, WestJet Contact Centre workers have been signing Unifor membership cards and talking about making real change as members of the union.
WestJet management noticed that workers were trying to improve their working conditions by joining Unifor. It is no surprise that WestJet Contact Centre workers received a notice from the employer this past week advising them of upcoming changes in their working conditions.
Contact Centre employees were able to experience the power of collective action even before being full union members. Their support for positive change by striving for Unifor representation has brought their first win.
In these changes, we will see some workers move to the next higher pay grade, dedicated “reading time” to catch up on employer correspondence, and improved scheduling of breaks, including a temporary additional paid 10-minute break until June 30, 2022.
It is no coincidence that the Company rolled out these improvements.
WestJet doesn’t want to see increased union density that brings negotiating power to YEG, YYZ and Contact Centre employees when they take their seats at the bargaining table.
We have heard reports of some Westjet managers making inappropriate comments in YYC, claiming that airports didn’t receive these improvements because they joined the union. This is a horrendous comment to make at any time from any manager but after watching the dedication of airports agents show up and do their job with compassion and dedication despite the chronic understaffing during the holiday period is insensitive and rude.
To be clear, airports from YVR and YYC are currently bargaining a collective agreement that will cover these provisions and more. If management claims airports are not receiving these improvements because they joined the union, this could be seen as an unfair labour practice and retribution by the employer.
Please reach out to Unifor and let us know if you hear these statements.
WestJet is truly worried that you will follow through with joining Unifor and achieve the lasting benefits of collective bargaining. They offer a one-time wage increase and some minor temporary improvements, promising more might come some time down the road.
When was the last time you had a decent wage increase? Long-term employees know that it has been many years.
But this wage increase is way too little, too late. WestJet can do much better than this, and they know it. Decent, regular wage increases should not be left to management’s discretion, timing, and often favouritism.
We think you can do much better by attaining a legally binding collective agreement with your continued solidarity and determination.
You are in the driver’s seat here. Keep your foot on the gas pedal. The choice is yours.
If you haven’t talked to your coworkers at YYZ, YEG or the Contact Centre, 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/federal card It’s time to take your seat at the table and benefit from professional representation at Unifor.
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