Dear Members,

WestJet bargaining took place last week in Toronto from January 13 - 17.

Monday started with the Company presenting their counter-proposal to the Hostage, Internment, or Death Article, most recently dealt with last week in Calgary. The Union had several points of disagreement with the previous proposal from the Company.

In addition, the Company proposed language for an Article titled Charter Operations and Special Purpose Flights. This Article deals with flying opportunities which would exist outside of the Company’s scheduled operations. The Union is of the view that these ‘non-scheduled’ flying opportunities are beneficial to our Membership in terms of growth of our flying. Your Bargaining Committee is committed to ensuring that the language which governs our work rules are comprehensive and inclusive of these supplemental flying opportunities.

The remainder of day one was dedicated to the exchange of counter-proposals on these two Articles.

Day two began with the Company presenting their counter-proposals to those Articles. By mid-afternoon enough movement had been made for these Articles to be signed as Tentative Agreements (TAs):

• Hostage, Internment, or Death Article

• Charter Operations and Special Purpose Flights

Wednesday January 15, was an important day for our Membership. CUPE Local 4070 - representing WestJet, WestJet Encore, and Swoop Cabin Crew Members - took part in our first case presented at Arbitration. Jamie Loiselle, Vice-President and Lead Steward CUPE 4070, worked with CUPE Staff and Legal Counsel to prepare the case presented at Arbitration this past week. It was clear at the bargaining table that the issue was going to set the tone for our relationship with the Employer.

Arbitration, which the Union pursued based on discipline issued to three Cabin Crew Members, concluded with the Employer withdrawing discipline for all three cases, without prejudice to either party. The Union stands by the rights of our Membership; and will always advocate for solidarity. Solidarity means standing together: When one Member is wronged, we are all wronged.

Both sides respectfully returned to the table following Arbitration, and the Company presented their Article titled Ad Hoc Assignments. This Article relates to short-term roles which may become available within the Inflight Department. The day was dedicated to exchanging proposals on this Article. By the end of the day an agreement was reached, and this Article was signed in Tentative Agreement (TA).

The final day of bargaining had the Company present a full page of definitions. The definitions presented were reasonable; however, your Bargaining Committee made several changes to the language. As is common in the Collective Bargaining process, the Definitions Article will be continuously developed as needed, and will not be finalized until the end of bargaining.

The next round of Bargaining for the WestJet Collective Agreement will take place February 3 – 7 in Vancouver.

We have included a document outlining the progress we have made so far, and the important Articles that remain “parked,” or pending. You can access this document HERE.

If you have any questions about the Collective Bargaining process, please contact your Mobilizing Team at: weare4070@cupe4070.ca

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 WestJet Bargaining Committee