Bargaining Update #25
Dear Members,
The WestJet (WS) Bargaining Committee has now concluded our dates in January of collective negotiations. The most recent day of bargaining was this past Thursday January 28, 2021.
As previously indicated, the final monetary and outstanding items package has now been passed between the Union and the Company going on six (6) times in each direction. As of this past Thursday, we can tell you that we are very close: of the seventeen (17) pages of this working document, over 90% of sub-articles are in agreement between the two parties in terms of the details of the final package.
As your CUPE 4070 WestJet Bargaining Committee, we are optimistic that following negotiations next week, we may have positive news to report to our Membership.
Should this final package be agreed to, and signed in Tentative Agreement (TA), the final piece of our Collective Agreement (CA) must be solidified before the Local can present the agreement in full for a ratification vote to our Members.
This final piece is to define “Scope” language in relation to how all three (3) workgroup’s scope of operations will be dealt with in relation to each other, including the concept that one lower-cost unit growing disproportionately to the mainline unit, is unacceptable to every single one of us. Scope essentially contains language agreed to between the Union and the Company that defines how the scope of operations of WestJet, WestJet Encore and Swoop interact, and allows for job security across all three, without the fear that one unit will be used to transfer work from a different unit. Obtaining solid language on scope is essential to each of us.
We are very close to bringing a TA to all WestJet (WS) Members. While we cannot make exact promises - we are very optimistic that this may occur in February.
Upon reaching a Tentative Collective Agreement, your Union will release the TA in its entirety in confidentiality to every Member (including any Member holding recall rights to the bargaining unit). Additionally, we will release a roadshow* schedule to allow all Members to have the opportunity to ask questions, and receive answers from your Bargaining Committee, Local 4070 Executives and CUPE National Bargaining representatives, in order for you to be informed in the subsequent ratification vote.
*TA Roadshows have always been intended to be in person, in each base (YVR, YYC, YYZ), and at least twice per base prior to a ratification vote. Additionally, plans for online forums were planned to ensure accessibility of all Members. The COVID-19 pandemic and related Government regulations may cause in person townhalls to be moved to online sessions. We will continue to monitor provincial COVID-19 protocols, and if at all possible, we will provide for live/in person events.
The next planned rounds of Bargaining for the WestJet Committee are scheduled to take place:
February 2 – 4, 2021
February 15 – 16 & 18, 2021
Please note: we have created a Rand Member form on our website to collect contact information from Members who have not signed a union card to become a ‘Member in Good Standing’. Please help us by sharing this link with any of your friends and colleagues that have not signed their union card so that we can collect their information and send them the appropriate voting links when the time comes, and subscribe them to our email distribution list: https://www.cupe4070.ca/rand-members.
By completing this form, you will not become a Member in Good Standing, you are simply providing your contact information to the Union so that you may participate in a contract ratification vote and/or strike vote.
**If you are already a Member in Good Standing, please do not fill-out this form.**
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