WestJet Encore & Swoop Members - June Update
Dear WestJet Encore and Swoop Members,
As the month of June ends, we would like to provide you with an overall update on the following topics:
Cabin Temperatures and Summer Operations
YYZ Metering - Fire Chief Order
1. Cabin Temperatures and Summer Operations
The Union has already been receiving reports of unsafe cabin temperatures. Cabin temperatures are federally regulated in the Canada Labour Code in Part 7 of Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations:
“7.1 If feasible, the temperature on board an aircraft shall, if feasible, be maintained at a level of not less than 18°C and not more than 29°C.”
Your OH&S Committee has been working to get each Member their own personal thermometer, but have come across supply issues. The Union is working on an interim solution, and we will communicate further.
Despite the absence of a thermometer, all our Members are familiar with the physiological effects to ourselves and our passengers when the APU is not running and the cabin gets too hot. In past summer months, Members have reported crew and passengers overheating, fainting, and requiring EMS. This is an unsafe workplace and action should be taken before this point.
When you feel the cabin temperature is getting too hot, immediately contact the captain to get the air turned on.
You have the right to a safe workplace. You have the right to refuse dangerous work until unsafe working conditions are made safe. You MUST report unsafe work conditions, including cabin temperature concerns, to the Employer and your OH&S Committee.
2. YYZ Metering - Fire Chief Order
The Union has been in repeated discussions with the Employer about metering, pay and the safety implications of metering, particularly as the hot summer months are upon us.
Earlier today, the Employer released an Ops Comm - Metering Fire Chief Order. The order sent out from the Mississauga Fire Department to every airline that serves the GTAA further complicates an already fraught situation for both our Members and our guests.
The Union, including your OH&S Committee, met with the Employer today. We shared our concerns that the procedures currently in place are insufficient for the crew under these circumstances and expressed our significant concern for our Members safety. The Employer advised that they have received little documentation related to ICM incidents and metering. For ICM procedures, please reference your Flight Attendant Manual (FAM).
All ICM incidents MUST be reported to the Company
For the Union to effectively advocate for our membership, IHR reporting is required.
After the Union met with the Employer, we met with our CUPE National Occupational Health and Safety Advisor, Troy Winters. The Union is working on a form for Members to submit on cupe4070.ca to track Metering incidences and concerns ourselves. We will communicate to the Membership when the form is live.
As always, if you require Union assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us: cupe4070.ca/contact
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team
CUPE 4070 President, Crystal Hill
CUPE 4070 Vice-President, Alia Hussain
CUPE 4070 Secretary-Treasurer, Alex Grigoriev
CUPE 4070 Recording Secretary, Marco Di Virgilio
WestJet YVR Base VP, Chris Brewer
WestJet YYC Base VP, Brigitte Benoit
WestJet YYZ Base VP, Vacant - Pending By-election
WestJet Encore YYC Base VP, Colleen Tracey
WestJet Encore YYZ Base VP, Mauricio Mejia
Swoop Base VP, Allan Ramsarran