WestJet Encore Bargaining Update #1
Dear Members,
Your WestJet Encore Bargaining Committee is extremely pleased to provide you with our first Bargaining Update!
We would like to start our first bargaining update with a disclaimer:
You will likely hear rumours about things being discussed at the bargaining table throughout this process. Everything discussed at the bargaining table is strictly confidential. Please consider any information that you hear outside of our updates a rumour. We ask that you please refrain from spreading rumours about bargaining.
We pledge to be transparent and keep you well informed throughout this process. Rest assured, your elected Bargaining Committee Members are going to the table with integrity, dedication, and your best interest in mind during these negotiations.
Your WestJet Encore Bargaining Committee is comprised of:
Shantel Gailing, CCM
Jen Sachs, CCM
Angelique Savoie, CCM
Chantal Weeks, CCM
Chris Rauenbusch, President, CUPE Local 4070
Jamie Loiselle, Vice-President, CUPE Local 4070
Round 1 of Collective Bargaining took place in Calgary last week from November 18-22. Our Collective Agreement will be bargained based on the concepts that an overwhelming majority of Members endorsed.
Although we cannot go into detail for reasons of confidentiality, we are proud to announce that both sides have reached a Tentative Agreement with respect to the following articles (which will in part form the Collective Agreement):
Preamble
Strike/Lockout
Amendments to the Agreement
Deduction of Dues
Grievance Procedure
Probation
Union Recognition
Management Rights
Seniority
Duration of Agreement
Leaves of Absence
While we cannot provide you specific details in regards to these points, we would like to provide you with some context surrounding the tone and atmosphere in the room:
On Monday, the Committee started out strong. Following introductions from both sides, work began immediately to sign off on both the:
Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement (which binds both sides during collective negotiations).
Negotiations Protocol (which identifies the process, order and functioning of the collective bargaining process).
These two baseline agreements of procedure were agreed to and signed off promptly. Both sides were on the same page.
By mid-morning Monday, both the Employer and the Union tabled their proposals for the Preamble Article. Both sides were quite close on the language at the outset, and agreement was reached by mid-day.
Monday afternoon saw the presentation of the following Articles:
Strike/Lockout
Amendments to the Agreement
Deduction of Dues
Grievance Procedure
Probation
Each side presented their proposals, and by the end of the day, after multiple counter-proposals from each side, all five (5) Articles were signed off as Tentative Agreement (TA).
Agreeing to a TA means both sides agree that these Articles, as written, will be acceptable to form a part of the final Collective Agreement (CA).
Tuesday saw the following Articles presented:
Union Recognition
Discipline, Suspension and Termination
Management Rights
Seniority
Union Flight Release
These Articles required a greater length of time to review and determine the best counter-proposal in the interest of our Members. Tuesday did not see any Articles signed in Tentative Agreement (TA), however, progress was made between the parties.
Wednesday saw further movement from each side as more counter-proposals were presented. Both the Employer and the Union were steadfast on some details, yet we were able to find sufficient common ground to sign off in TA on the following Articles on Wednesday:
Union Recognition
Management Rights
Seniority
Before the day concluded, the Leaves of Absence Article was presented for the first time.
Thursday saw several counter-proposals exchanged, and the following were agreed to in TA:
Duration of Agreement
Leaves of Absence
Round 1 of Collective Bargaining ended with:
11 Articles signed off in Tentative Agreement (TA)
3 Articles remain outstanding for further discussion in Round 2 of Collective Bargaining (Discipline, Suspension and Termination, as well as Union Flight Release).
Your WestJet Encore Bargaining Committee has presented dates for future Bargaining, and currently await confirmation from the Employer on these dates for 2020. We will communicate all dates as soon as they are finalized.
WE NEED BACKUP
It is critical to understand that the Bargaining Committee gets all of its strength and power from you, the Membership. The only way the Bargaining Committee will secure a strong Collective Agreement (CA) is with the strong backing of the Membership.
Change will not come easy. We need as many WestJet Encore Members as possible who are willing to voice their support for the demands of your elected Bargaining Committee.
We are seeking volunteers to join the WestJet Encore Mobilizing Team.
As a member of the Mobilizing Team you will:
Be in direct contact with the Bargaining Committee
Act as a liaison between the Bargaining Committee, the Executive, the Communications Committee and the Members of your base.
Build enthusiasm and support for our Union among your peers.
Listen to Members’ concerns about workplace issues both on the line and those being discussed at the bargaining table.
Communicate key messages from the Executive and the Bargaining Committee to Members.
What we are about to live through will only happen once in our lifetime. Be part of the movement that will bring WestJet Encore our first-ever Collective Agreement.
Please contact Jen Sachs at weare4070@gmail.com with the subject line "WestJet Encore Mobilization.” We are currently in the process of recruiting for these critical positions, with training to come.
Step up today and help us engage more of our Members. Help us harness the power we need to achieve a strong Collective Agreement! Together we will show the Company what it means to work together to win.
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 WestJet Encore Bargaining Committee