CUPE 4070 Newsletter - October 2024
Breast Cancer Awareness
WestJet | Sunwing Merger
Grievance Update
Who to Contact
Crew Member Socials Dates
Scheduling Review Committee (SRC) Update
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
As we enter October, a month dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, we want to take a moment to honor and support all those affected by this disease. As a predominately female based industry breast cancer impacts many of our colleagues, friends, and loved ones, and it’s important for us to raise awareness and foster a culture of support and understanding.
Origins in the 1980s:
The movement began in earnest in the early 1980s, with the first organized effort in 1985, led by the American Cancer Society. The goal was to promote awareness about breast cancer and encourage early detection through mammograms.
Pink Ribbon Symbol:
The pink ribbon emerged as a symbol of breast cancer awareness in 1991 when Estee Lauder’s Evelyn Lauder helped distribute them during a race for breast cancer. The ribbon has since become a powerful symbol, representing the fight against breast cancer and solidarity among survivors and supporters.
Increased Awareness and Funding:
Over the years, the campaign has played a crucial role in increasing awareness and funding for research, education, and support services. Fundraising events, like walks and runs, have gained popularity, bringing communities together to support the cause.
Throughout the month, we encourage you to participate in activities that promote awareness, such as sharing information about early detection and prevention, and participating in local fundraising events. Whether it’s wearing pink or simply spreading the word, every action counts.
Let’s come together as a union to uplift those in our community who have been touched by breast cancer. Remember, knowledge is power, and by staying informed, we can help ourselves and each other.
WestJet and Sunwing Merger Update
We would like to note that as previously communicated, during the week of September 9-13, your Local 4070 Executive gathered in Toronto for mediation with Sunwing Local 4055, WestJet and CUPE National to discuss seniority. This collaborative effort marks a pivotal step toward fostering unity and addressing shared concerns between our locals.
Throughout the negotiation process, both Local 4070 and Local 4055 presented proposals that prioritized the best interests of their memberships. Despite efforts to reach an agreement through mediation, it became apparent by Friday evening that arbitration was the only viable option to address the seniority issues affecting all members.
It is crucial to recognize that the integration of seniority lists arises from our parent company's acquisition of another airline. This situation has caused significant disruption and stress for members of both Local 4070 and Local 4055, and it is important to emphasize that the responsibility lies with the employer, not the Locals.
While differing perspectives on seniority are expected, we must remember that both Local 4070 and Local 4055 members will ultimately be part of the same union, advocating together for shared interests of all members during the bargaining process in 2025.
We acknowledge that seniority is a sensitive and vital issue for union members, and while differing opinions will arise, it is essential to set those differences aside to foster unity and solidarity. This approach will enhance our collective strength as we negotiate for improved working conditions and wages. If we allow our differences to divide us, we risk losing our unified voice, which the employer will exploit. We have waited 4.5 years for change- we need to remain focused on moving forward and on our collective interests.
CUPE National Statement on their position
Throughout this process, CUPE National has sought to play a facilitative role and intervene as little as possible. However, the national union is compelled to make a submission in the arbitration process respecting the integrated seniority list.
Given that date-of-hire is already the guiding principle with respect to seniority in both collective agreements, it represents the best path forward. It is CUPE’s view that date-of-hire privileges neither side as it affirms positions already democratically established by union members through ratification votes.
Additionally, CUPE believes that date-of-hire is a basic union principle of seniority, and it is what the union strives to achieve in all our agreements in the airline sector. It remains the industry standard, and CUPE believes it is the union's obligation to protect it for future generations of airline workers, including ensuring portability within CUPE in the event of future mergers.
Merger Committee
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Merger Committee Members for their invaluable contributions. With the seniority process now in the hands of Arbitrator Kaplan, the Committee's work has concluded. Thank you for your dedication and hard work throughout this significant undertaking.
WS:
Jennifer Gehan
Berkley Lamb
Meghan Gulliver
Charles Mercure
WR:
Leanne Garrett
Gemma Ashmore
WO:
Chelsea Fogliato
Vanessa Settimi
Local Grievance Update:
As many of you are aware, the recent hailstorm in August in Calgary caused significant disruptions, affecting some of our members' pairings and subsequently left our crew without hotel rooms. We want to take a moment to address the grievances that have been filed regarding the failure to secure hotel rooms in a timely manner for affected members back in August. In response to the distress caused by this situation, the local union has filed several grievances on behalf of our members.
Key points of concern include:
Lack of Accommodation
Members reported that despite the company's efforts to secure hotel rooms, many were left waiting hours for a place to stay. This not only created undue stress but also impacted their ability to fulfill work obligations.
Communication Breakdown
There was a notable lack of timely communication from management regarding the status of hotel arrangements. Members were left in the dark, which exacerbated the situation and added to their frustration.
Since filing those grievances, the company has acknowledged that the process in which they secure hotel rooms for our members during IROP’s or when cities are at capacity due to a variety of events in town, needs to change. They have begun work and have consulted with the union on the matter. Once the process is finalized, we would be happy to share with our members the new process that will take place and hopefully we won’t see members waiting for hotel room for hours on end during IROP’s. In response to the distress caused by this situation, the local union has filed several grievances on behalf of our members.
During the week of September 23-27, 2024, Our Vice President Tyson Conrod and YYZ Base Vice President Bryan Hansraj along with our representatives from CUPE National, met with Labour Relations from the company to go over our outstanding grievances that are currently in queue for arbitration. We have utilized National legal resources and knowledge to make sure that we get the over 100 grievances taken care of in the best manner we can for our affected members. We know the wait for arbitration can be a long one and we appreciate the patience of our members that have filed that are being referred to arbitration. The union is hoping that once these cases are either settled or referred to arbitration that we can move forward, and the arbitration process can happen in a timelier fashion.
Who To Contact
We would like to take a moment and remind the membership of who to contact and when. It is always important to keep your union informed of what is happening online so they can track trends that may be taking place and bring them forward. A key part to keeping your Local informed of what's going on is through you, the membership.
It is always good practice to CC your Local 4070 Base VP on communication between yourself and the company.
Scheduling Issues:
Crew Scheduling
Scheduling Review Committee and/or DPM.
The SRC and/ or your DPM can look into any questions you have with regards to call outs/ Flica, anything Crew Scheduling.
If you do email your DPM to look into the investigation, please CC the Scheduling Review Committee so they can track the trends taking place.
Schedule Release
Must fill out a dispute form found on SharePoint within 72hours of schedule release.
Emails will not be accepted as valid disputes. Emailing the company and not filing out a dispute form will not be accepted as a valid dispute.
Please follow the language in the CA 34-2.02.
Vacation (outside of vacation disputes)
Please CC Scheduling Review Committee for tracking purposes.
GDOs - Click HERE for a tutorial of how to add GDOs to your schedule.
To add GDOs manually, please fill out the form found on your CCD.
Fatigue - Please fill out the Fatigue form found on your CCD.
Forward a copy of your fatigue report to the Scheduling Review Committee so they can track it.
All other Schedule related issues, please reach out to your Scheduling Review Committee for assistance.
Hotel | Transportation Issues:
Urgent: Please reach out to any available DPM, or Crew Scheduling.
Non Urgent: Please reach out to your Local 4070 Hotel Committee.
It is important that you inform them of any hotel issues that you may come across so they can track issues taking place and have them addressed.
If you reach out to your DPM, we ask that you CC Local 4070 Hotel Committee so that they can track all occurrences.
Occupational Health and Safety:
Forward safety reports for tacking and trending purposes.
Suggest Health & Safety improvements.
Ensure regulatory compliance
Request occurrence follow up with the employer
Request for a Safety item to be brought to the Workplace Committee meeting.
Address health concerns
For information about workers rights
Base VP:
Representation in a meeting with management.
To file a grievance.
Even though the investigation may have been done by someone else, it is the role of a Base VP to file all grievances.
Any other issues or concerns you may have.
Please be sure to CC your Base VP on communication with The Company.
For a list of current Base VPs and their contact click HERE
Important – Update your Information
Have you switched bases, flowed, moved addresses, got a new phone number? Please let us know so we can keep our records up to date! Fill out the form at the link below and we will update your status.
Update Your Information — CUPE 4070
WestJet Crew Member Socials
WestJet is inviting cabin crew members (WS and WR) to join for a fun-filled evening of networking (and prizes)! Enjoy appetizers, drinks, and the company of colleagues, leadership, CUPE representatives and support teams.
October Socials:
Wednesday, October 9 - YEG
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at MKT Edmonton, 8101 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton, AB
You must register here to attend before October 4.
Wednesday, October 23 - YYC
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Trolley 5 Brewpub, 728 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
You must register here to attend before October 18.
Additional information:
This event is for employees only (sorry, no guests will be permitted).
Attendance is voluntary and tickets are FREE.
Travel expenses incurred to attend will be the responsibility of each guest.
Uniforms are not permitted to be worn at this event.
Your registration will be confirmed via the Microsoft form which will remain open until the closing dates noted above.
Please email allison.harbinson@westjet.com for additional assistance.
Scheduling Review Committee Update
In an effort to share the inner working of the scheduling review committee we thought we would share some insight to the committee.
For October schedules, we received 27 Day off Disputes and 26 Pairing Disputes. Our Scheduling Review Committee aims to investigate and respond to these disputes before the end of July. Investigating each individual dispute can be time-consuming, as it depends on the complexity of the issue and the need to analyze the entire schedule.
To avoid filing a dispute and receiving a schedule that does not work for you, we encourage you to reach out to us for bidding advice before the bidding period closes. We are always available to assist you proactively and help you avoid any scheduling issues.
The Scheduling Review Committee is responsible for investigating disputes monthly and handling other schedule-related matters such as Reserve call outs, pairing extensions, RTD assignments, and call outs. If you have any questions or investigations, you would like us to undertake, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
WestJet Mainline
Schedule Dispute Period follows the language of the Collective Agreement,
WS - 34-2.02 In the event that a Cabin Personnel wants to address concerns with their issued monthly schedule, they will notify the Union representative on the Scheduling Review Committee within Seventy-two (72) hours of schedule release to review and respond.
**The form to file a Dispute can be found on SharePoint and will only be active for Seventy-two (72). You can also find the form HERE.
You do not need to fil out more than ONE dispute form for Pairing Disputes. Please DO NOT email the SRC with disputes. We cannot accept disputes through email, filling out the form is the only process.
Reminder that a dispute is not a grievance, and the investigation must be completed through the form as Step 1.
We have been working hard to implement new processes within the committee to improve efficiency and consistency for our members' benefit. We will be releasing a monthly communication with updates and important information. If you have any scheduling questions or specific inquiries, please send us an email HERE.
WestJet Encore
Schedule Dispute Period follows the language of the Collective Agreement.
WR - 34-2.03 In the event that a Cabin Crew Member wants to address concerns with their issued monthly schedule, they will notify a Union representative on the Scheduling Review Committee within seventy-two (72) hours of schedule release to review and respond.
To begin the dispute please send an email to your DPM and WR YYC Base VP within 72 hours of schedule release.
Please note that Reserve is not given on a seniority bases and you must use a bid line to "avoid" reserve.
Please contact the WR YYC Base VP with any questions proactively for the best opportunity of receiving a preferred schedule.
REMINDER - Follow the process outlined in the CA for Schedule Disputes. If you email the Scheduling Review Committee or the company to investigate your schedule and it is valid, nothing will be done to resolve it if the proper process was not followed. The SRC needs to be aware of scheduling issues, especially with a new system coming soon. By emailing the company thinking they will fix your schedule, you are not following the language in the CA as well as not providing the committee with the information they need for tracking and trending issues that may be happening.
REMINDER - Use the proper resources when inquiring about Day of Operations. Your DPM and/ or The Scheduling Review Committee. It is not appropriate to contact Crew Scheduling for anything other than concerns with YOUR schedule. It is not appropriate to contact Crew Scheduling with concerns about other Crew members schedules, please contact DPMs with inquiries or request for investigations.
SAVE THE DATE
All events can be found under "Events" on CUPE4070 Website
General Membership Meeting (GMM)
November 13th, 2024 - 1100PT/ 1200MT/ 1400ET
Sign Up HERE
Open to Members in Good Standing and/ or those who have completed the application process.
Elections
Elections will be held in November 2024. More information will be available in the near future.
On behalf of your Local 4070 Executives
CUPE 4070 President - Alia Hussain
CUPE 4070 Vice President - Tyson Conrod
CUPE 4070 Recording Secretary - Calvin Gautschi
CUPE 4070 Secretary-Treasurer - Alex Grigoriev
WestJet YVR/ YEG Base VP - Chris Brewer
WestJet YYC Base VP - Brandy Whitby
WestJet YWG Base VP - Tyson Conrod
WestJet YYZ Base VP - Bryan Hansraj
WestJet Encore YYC Base VP - Heather Crippen