Dear Members,

WestJet Bargaining took place on December 9 - 12 in Calgary.

Day 1 was designated as a caucus day. The Union used this time as an opportunity to strategize and ensure that adequate preparations were in place for negotiations in the near-term. Additionally, the Bargaining Committee solidified the overall strategic plan for negotiation dates planned up to June 2020.

Day 2 saw the Union present its proposal for the crucial “Accommodation” Article, which includes provisions for Return-to-Work (RTW) and Modified Duties (MOD). This Article is significant for the Union – at present, our Members are being left behind and treated poorly on many fronts related to these topics. Our stance is firm - this is unacceptable. The Union passionately communicated several positions to the Company that we are unwilling to stray from.

The presentation of this Article to the Company was highlighted by a 50-minute session in which the entire Bargaining Committee one-by-one relayed specific examples of mistreatment of themselves and their colleagues by the Company’s Insurance Providers, or the WestJet Disability Management Team directly.

This portion of the day was intense with emotion and was met with skepticism and disbelief by the Company. They appeared to think these stories were made-up or exaggerated and failed to display any appreciation or compassion towards the numerous jarring examples and details that the Committee provided. This was further evidenced by their counter-proposals.

The Company’s Senior Vice-President, Disability Management, was at the table, and she deflected every example or detailed account which was provided. This day involved three (3) sets of proposals or counter-proposals. By the end of the day, the Company continued to demonstrate a fundamental disregard for the Union’s position and breadth of evidence regarding the ongoing and systemic mistreatment of our Membership as it relates to Accommodation, Return-to-work and Modified Duties.

The Union ended the day by advising the Company of the reality that should the first offer back on Wednesday morning not demonstrate significant movement towards the Union’s firm priorities, we would refuse further discussions, and ‘park’ yet another Article.

NOTE: Failure to resolve any parked Articles by the conclusion of bargaining will result in the Union bringing all outstanding issues to the entire Membership for a vote on Job Action.

On Wednesday, once the parties convened, the Company put forth a counter-proposal to the Accommodation Article from the day prior, and it presented well. It appeared that the Company’s bargaining team regrouped overnight and was possibly given direction from more Senior levels of WestJet Management to take a different approach. Much of what we were standing firm on a day prior was included in their proposal. The Union and Company exchanged two more proposals, and by 16:00MT, the “Accommodation” Article was signed in Tentative Agreement (TA).

The Union presented the “Passport” Article on Thursday morning. This article relates to when, why and how the Company will compensate our Members for the expenses related to their passport, as well as how lost/stolen passports will be handled.

This Article was relatively small; nevertheless, it was necessary in order to ensure that all appropriate provisions for our Members were included. By Thursday afternoon, after 2 rounds of counter-proposals, the Union and the Company signed off in Tentative Agreement (TA) on the Passport Article.

The next round of Collective Bargaining for the WestJet Collective Agreement is taking place this week: December 17 - 19 in Calgary.

If you have any questions about the Collective Bargaining process, please engage your Mobilizing Team at: weare4070@gmail.com


In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 WestJet Bargaining Committee