Dear Members,

It has been just over a month since I was elected to the role of Vice President/Lead Steward.  It has been a steep learning curve, but I am excited to continue working with the Executive Team, the Stewards, the Committees and the Members.

A sincere thank-you to Charles Brochu for his service to the Local and his dedication to the Members while he held the role. 

A quick update on what has happened in the Local in the last month:

CLC Sick/Personal Time Mediation
On July 5th WS YYC Base VP. Brandy Whitby, and I attended mediation on behalf of the Local about the changes to Sick and Personal Leave provisions in the Canada Labour Code.  (That’s why we were conspicuously absent from the Townhall.)  After the Local filed a Policy Grievance, the Employer requested we waive a Step 2 grievance hearing and proceed to mediation.  We are happy to have participated in a favorable mediation, which now sees our CA Sick and Personal Time Provisions brought up to the Code standards, without conceding any benefits for our Members. 

All sick time will now be front-loaded rather than accrued, with no loss of sick leave entitlements or to the maximum sick bank.  On August 1st, you will see the remainder of your 2023 sick time loaded into your bank, as well as three paid days of personal leave.  Please check to ensure yours is updated.

YWG Base Vacancy Bid
As a YWG commuter for the last 15 years, I’m excited to say the opening of YWG is in sight.  The base vacancy bid is now complete, and we expect the base to open in October of this year.  Due to Member feedback, we were able to get the Employer to extend the vacancy bid deadline until after the release of the Winter 2023 Schedule.  This allowed potential commuters to view the network and make a more informed decision.

E-Learning Audit
Due to Member feedback, we were able to get the Employer to conduct an audit on e-learning pay.  This audit found that over 950 members were underpaid for their 2022 e-learning. However it also found that approximately 150 members were overpaid for this same training.  The Employer will be contacting affected Members via email.

The Employer has agreed to more transparency and consistency of the e-learning process and how it is paid.  This is an important step to ensure that all of our members are being paid accurately as per the CA.

Note: the Employer has now run a second audit and informed the Union that no members are in an overpayment situation. We understand this process has been confusing and frustrating.  If you have any questions or concerns about e-learning or the audit process, please contact your direct Leader and copy your Base VP on the email

WR Flow and YYZ Base
We’ve heard a lot of concerns from our WR members around what flow will look like moving forward.  As per the Flow MOA, the Employer must offer a certain amount of flow spots per quarter, and the Employer has consistently offered spots above this requirement.  An additional WR flow class was added in August.
We will be conducting an election for WR YYZ Base VP in August.  Keep an eye on your emails for nominations. To sign up for CUPE emails click here (share with you Colleagues if they have not signed up).

Steward Chat
Having been a part of the CUPE 4070 Steward group since our certification, I know how dedicated and hard-working our Stewards are.  As Lead Steward, I’m committed to developing our Stewards as much as we can to ensure a long, healthy life for our Local.  On July 18, the Base VPs and I conducted our first Steward chat since my election.  I’m very excited to continue these chats monthly, and to offer the Stewards as many learning and education opportunities we can.  We have a really great team working for our Members!  There will also be Steward elections in August.

WO Integration
Talks with the Employer about integration continue, and we remain committed to communicating with the Members as information becomes available and shareable.  Our Integration Advisory Committee has been elected and will advise the Executive Team as their Unit ceases operation.  Congratulations to Vanessa Settimi, Jay Antflick, and Katie Taylor, and a huge thank you to all who ran!

Grievances
As Vice President, my main role is to oversee the grievance process and chair the Grievance Committee.  As always, grievances are being consistently filed by the Base VPs on behalf of our Members, with just under one hundred having been filed so far in 2023.
If you believe you have an experienced a violation of the CA, your first step is to have an informal conversation with your direct Leader.  Make sure that you copy your Base VP on all communications, and if your Leader is unable to resolve the issue, contact your Base VP to discuss the next steps. 
 
In solidarity,
Tyson Conrod, CUPE 4070 Vice President & Lead Steward

Uniforms Committee Update

We have an update on the Lake's Collection blouse, it is in the process of being wear tested. It will take some time to conduct the wear test and gather feedback from our fellow cabin crew members wearing them online.  Once we conclude this wear test, we will provide an update.

Winter wear puffer jackets are still on pre-order, and we anticipate that the jackets will arrive at Unisync in late August.  Once received, they will be mailed out to Cabin Crew Members' home address. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding uniforms, please reach out - uniforms@westjet.com and uniforms@cupe4070.ca 

WR & WS Scheduling Dispute Forms

Please continue to submit scheduling disputes via the form on SharePoint. 
These are vital as we continue to engage with the Employer for a new Seniority Scheduling System. 
The form is on the WestJet Inflight SharePoint page.  Log into WestJet SharePoint>Department Sites>Operations>Inflight and scroll down the page to see WR and WS Dispute Forms.

Collective Agreement Familiarization

Please ensure you are familiar with your Collective Agreement.  It is the responsibility of Members to know your working rules.  Knowing your working rules=knowing your rights.  The Union is not able to help you if you do not help yourself.  

WR 38-5 & WS 38-6 Hotel Cancellation Payment- Will begin next year due to cancellation of the ACM policy. 

WR 34-24 & WS 34-27 Drafting: Should drafting occur, please self assess that you are fit for duty and communicate that to Crew Scheduling during the call.  Fit for duty assessment includes alcohol consumption cutoff times, fatigue etc. 

WO 36-2.03, WR & WS 37-2.03 Hotel Transportation: When transportation is not provided within 40 minutes after release time or within 10 minutes of scheduled hotel shuttle time from the hotel Crew Members will be reimbursed for the actual expense of the taxi/rideshare to/from the airport.  A receipt must be submitted. **WO FAs must contact Crew Scheduling first**

Save the Dates
All events can be found under "Events" after you log into the website
 

Townhall - Informal 
TBD Fall of 2023 1100PT/120MT/1400ET

(Open to all Members)
Submit Questions Here

General Membership Meeting (GMM) 
November 8, 2023 1100PT/1200MT/1400ET - Sign Up Here

Open only to Members in Good Standing

When you sign into the meeting the day of, please ensure your first and last name, and your employee number is showing.  Otherwise you cannot be verified and will be denied entry into the meeting.  

**DO NOT USE YOUR WORK EMAIL ADDRESS**

Galley Gossip

(Visit the Galley Gossip Wall on our website to see previous submissions and answers)
 

Galley Gossip: Hearing about à buy out possibility for top pay FA. ??? Rumours??thank you

Answer: That is currently just a rumour, the Union has not been approached on this subject. 

Galley Gossip: rumour...sunwing f/a's, some of which I know, are under the impression that they will be integrated into our seniority system and keep there present wages which in some cases is higher than ours... thanks

Answer: The Union's first priority is to determine WO's integration.  This will then lay the groundwork for Sunwing's (WG) integration.  Currently anything you hear regarding WG's integration is just rumours.  Only official emails from CUPE 4070 or from the Company should be given any merit.

On behalf of your Local 4070 Executives:

President, Alia Hussain
Vice President, Tyson Conrod
Recording Secretary, Calvin Gautschi
Secretary-Treasurer, Alex Grigoriev

Swoop Base VP, Sherrie Moore
WestJet Encore YYC/YYZ Base VP, Adrian Dayrit
WestJet YEG/YVR Base VP, Chris Brewer
WestJet YYC Base VP, Brandy Whitby
WestJet YYZ Base VP, Bryan Hansraj