Merger Update #7 - Arbitration

Dear Members,

Message from CUPE LOCAL 4070 Executive Team

  Today, Friday, October 4th, 2024, representatives from CUPE Local 4070, including President Alia Hussain, WestJet Toronto Base Vice President Bryan Hansraj, and Secretary-Treasurer Alex Grigoriev attended interest arbitration proceedings in Toronto with Federal Arbitrator William Kaplan.  Other parties to these proceedings were representatives from CUPE Local 4055, CUPE National, WestJet/Sunwing Management as well as the parties’ retained legal counsel. 

  The session involved each party’s legal counsel presenting their respective positions to Arbitrator Kaplan and addressing other parties’ oral submissions.  Representing Local 4070 were Michael Church and Ethan Lewis from Caley Wray labour law firm. 

  Local 4070 remains committed to securing a fair and equitable decision that acknowledges the service time of all cabin personnel. We will continue to be available to Arbitrator Kaplan should he require any further information or clarification as he prepares his decision. 

  We recognize that these are challenging times, and the Local remains fully committed to representing and advocating for all Cabin Personnel of Local 4070.   We anticipate the decision to be issued on or before November 15, 2024, and will continue to update the membership as more information becomes available.  
 

Joint statement from CUPE, CUPE 4070, and CUPE 4055 regarding ISL arbitration 

  Earlier today in Toronto, CUPE, CUPE 4070, and CUPE 4055 made their submissions before arbitrator William Kaplan regarding the integrated seniority list for cabin crew at WestJet once the merger of WestJet and Sunwing is completed. 

  We do not yet know the outcome of this arbitration, but we will keep you informed as soon as we have an update to share. 

  Throughout this process, all three parties have worked tirelessly for the best possible outcome for our members. We are proud to have approached these often-difficult conversations with mutual respect. 

  Today we have reached a milestone in this process. We now await the arbitrated decision and recognize that it's time to move forward in full solidarity as CUPE members, together. 

  We also recognize that, despite our differences through this process, we can and must emerge on the other side of the merger united and ready for what matters most: securing a strong collective agreement for our members when bargaining commences next year. Together, we are now part of an even bigger and even stronger union local, and we are ready to take on the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead. 

Your Local 4070 Executive Team,
President - Alia Hussain
Vice-President - Tyson Conrod
Secretary-Treasurer - Alex Grigoriev
Recording Secretary - Calvin Gautschi

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