Last week, we shared some exciting news from WestJet. Nearly 750 Contact Centre employees voted overwhelmingly to join Unifor.

They are joining approximately 1,800 other WestJetters represented by Unifor at YYC, YYZ and YVR.

And the momentum continues. Last Monday and Tuesday, Unifor began collective bargaining with WestJet for our airport members as they work toward improvements in their collective agreement.

So what does this mean for WestJetters at YEG and YWG?

It means this is your moment.

At YEG, you came incredibly close before. We know there are some very loud anti-union voices in the workplace, and that can make people who support joining Unifor hesitant to speak openly. But loud voices do not necessarily represent the majority.

Since the last organizing effort, membership cards have expired, and new employees have been hired. If you want the opportunity to join Unifor, we need you to sign or update your membership card.

And we need something else from you: talk to your coworkers.

Talk openly about why you support having a union. Ask your coworkers if they have signed a card. Encourage people who supported the campaign before to update their cards. Make sure newer employees understand what you are trying to accomplish.

There are now approximately 2550 WestJetters represented by Unifor, 1800 at YYZ, YVR and YYC bases with nearly 750 Contact Centre employees voting to join them. Thousands of your coworkers have decided that collective bargaining and a legally recognized workplace process are worth pursuing.

Internal employee associations are not unions. They do not have the same legal status, bargaining rights or ability to negotiate and enforce a collective agreement.

A union gives employees the ability to sit across the bargaining table from WestJet and negotiate collectively over the issues that matter in their workplace.

But Unifor cannot make that happen at YEG or YWG without you.

If you support joining Unifor, now is the time to become one of the voices for it in your workplace.

Sign or update your membership card. Talk to your coworkers. Encourage others to do the same.

You came close before. This time, let's get it done.

Sign your Unifor membership card today:

YEG came close before. YWG has an opportunity to secure the protections workers should have had all along. Together, workers at both bases can push these campaigns across the finish line.

Billy O'Neill
Unifor National Representative, Organizing
416.605.1443
billy.oneill@unifor.org

Lucy Alessio
Unifor National Representative, Organizing
416.998.3189
lucy.alessio@unifor.org