Newsletter
Dear Members,
A few updates of significance:
Merger Seniority Discussions- The Executive met at the YYC office for two days of in-depth discussion to begin to unravel and map out the road that lies ahead and plan/strategize how we address the merger seniority scenarios we are faced with. As a result of the complex nature of the scenario we face the Locals Executive Board authorized the following:
The Local has secured and retained external Legal counsel from Calywrey Law firm in Ontario. We are very pleased to share that Michael Church has agreed to join our team and represent the interests of Cabin Crew of Local 4070.
Michael Church has an extensive amount of Aviation experience in mergers/integrations/acquisitions notably that he had involvement in the Air Canada/Canadian merger amongst others. He is considered to be an expert on these matters and we will be seeking consultation and guidance.
IHRs- We cannot stress the importance of documenting concerns from the line. We have seen positive movement in the realm of Proactive Fatigue reporting whereby pairings were adjusted. Please continue to report these pairings to the company. Collective Bargaining is not intended to replace what our members deem to be unsafe working rules. We each have a responsibility to self evaluate and report fit for duty.
We encourage our CCM to be mindful of time. IHRs can be qued while inflight - this best practice works to respect rest periods/time away from duty.
IHRs are our most under utilized tool. We are a very large working group- power exists in our commitment to ensure we are reporting appropriately, respectfully and consistently to the Company. Reporting supports your Union Executive in discussions to promote change in the organization. Facebook remains an unrecognized reporting tool for both the Employer and the Union.
Alia Hussain, CUPE 4070 President
C.A.R.D. Committee
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
As September 30 approaches, we must recognize the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is dedicated to honoring the children who never returned home and the Survivors of residential schools, along with their families and communities. It serves as a vital public commemoration to acknowledge the tragic history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, playing a crucial role in the reconciliation process. We must come together to acknowledge the harm and trauma the residential school system caused to Indigenous People and communities, and that this harm and trauma continues to reverberate today.
Johnathan Dyer, CUPE 391 Vice President and National Indigenous Council Co-Chair, shared his thoughts on the holiday:
“September 30 is an opportunity to remember the children who never made it home from the residential schools, whether that was physically or spiritually. During my lifetime we have seen these institutions close their doors for good, people refusing to accept what happened and finally these atrocities coming to light for the wider public. When the first 215 children were revealed to the general public through ground penetration software, I had a co-worker state that they never knew children died in these schools. This is why we need days like September 30 to remind us all of the cost the country currently known as Canada came with, and to remember the children who returned to the ancestors too early.”
Local 4070 recommits to the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation and stands with Indigenous communities as they continue to grieve the unjust losses within their communities, and the trauma that continues to be felt.
On September 30, we encourage everyone to wear orange in solidarity with Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemoration raising awareness of the inter-generational impacts of residential schools and promoting the concept that "Every Child Matters." Numerous activities will take place across the country, offering opportunities to commemorate the violent history and legacy of residential schools. Additionally, buildings, including Parliament Hill, will be illuminated in orange from September 30 at 7:00 pm to sunrise on October 1, symbolizing our commitment to honoring the Survivors and their communities. You can also join the national commemorative gathering, broadcast live from Parliament Hill on September 30, 2023. Let's stand together in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
To order an orange shirt through the official supplier, please visit Orange Shirt Day Archives - Leading Edge Promo. A portion of proceeds support the Orange Shirt Society.
To learn more about National Truth and Reconciliation Day, or to learn what you can do as a union member to support truth and reconciliation, please reach out to the 4070 Committee Against Racism and Discrimination at card@cupe4070.ca.
If you or someone you know is a residential school survivor, and in need of support, please call the Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419
Unpaid Work Won't Fly
The International Transportation Federation (ITF) was inspired by our Unpaid Work campaign. They are now collecting information from affiliates to see whether the pay structure we have is common around the world with other airlines and if this is an issue ITF should tackle.
WR Merlot
WR, before the end of the year, will be transitioning from their Merlot scheduling software system to Crew Trac and Flica. This is great news and will provide improved functionality to CCMs. Should you have further questions please reach out to your WR Leader.
WS Per Diem Calculations
Per Diem (41-11) is paid on TAFB, which starts at report and ends at release. Yet for international rates you only start getting these higher rates on the ‘Out Event’ (MCD closed and park brake released) and ending at the ‘In Event’ (park brake set for last time or MCD open.) For example, if your pairing is YYZ-LAX, 24h layover in LAX, LAX-YYZ, report to departure in YYZ (roughly one hour,) and arrival back in YYZ to release (15 minutes) of your TAFB will be issued at the domestic rate and not the higher international rate.
The Westjet Group calculates Per Diem by taking the previous year’s rounded number, to two decimal places, adds the 2% increase and rounds to the two decimal places again each year. By doing this the 2022 North American and Standard/Domestic rates are 1 cent lower than if the raw numbers were used to calculate it.
We brought this forward to the Employer and due to there being no language specifying the method, Management Rights dictate that the Employer has the freedom to decide how it is done, and the Union has no recourse to address the method outside of Bargaining.
As we approach our next rounds of Bargaining, the Executive has made note to address per diem increase calculations in our bargaining proposal.
Save the Dates
All events can be found under "Events" after you log into the website
Townhall - Informal
September 20, 2023 1100PT/120MT/1400ET
Sign Up Here (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: A lot on FAs on probation are worried they’re going to be let go under the probation first, before the merger.
Answer: The Company has assured the Union there will be no job loss or layoffs as a result of the Merger of Swoop into the WestJet operations. There are plans to begin hiring in January.
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