CUPE 4070

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WestJet Encore - Contract Implementation For March 2022

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Dear WestJet Encore Members,

Your Union would like to shed some light on the upcoming implementation of the Collective Agreement, our goal is not only to provide clarity on which agreement provisions will come into effect and when but bring some clarity and answer some questions that might arise with this implementation.

Please refer to the table below to the articles that be implemented for the March scheduling month:

As per the Collective Agreement Article:

Drafting:

Both the Company and the Union are committed to not cancelling flights. In keeping with this commitment, a draft shall be considered as an option of last resort.

If the Company has exhausted the available options to cover a company open time pairing, Crew Scheduling will draft a Cabin Crew Member who is on a day (or days) off. In such circumstances, the Company shall draft a Cabin Crew Member in reverse seniority order by base. Before drafting can commence, Crew Scheduling will need to ensure call outs have been completed on the following
steps:

  1. Cabin Crew Member on return to duty (RTD) status

  1. Cabin Crew Members holding reserve duty

  1. Post the open time pairing for voluntary pick up

It is important to note that no Cabin Crew Member will be drafted more than three (3) times in a calendar year and drafting cannot occur on a GDO.

If a Cabin Crew Member is drafted for a pairing, they shall receive premium pay at two (2) times the Cabin Crew Member’s regular rate of pay in accordance with Article 41 – Pay Administration.

Things to keep in mind:

  • When called on your day off, you are NOT obligated to answer the call.

  • If you answer the call, you MUST accept the pairing providing you are fit to fly.

  • You are expected to report to work fit for duty and to remain fit for duty, free of any negative impacts of alcohol or other drug use. The 12 hours cut off time should always be respected.

  • Any issues with commuting, and any seen and unforeseen circumstances that may prevent you from reporting within the allowable 2 hour- window needs to be communicated with Crew Scheduling immediately.

There will be key changes in March to the reserve program. There are two key subsections under section 35-3 (reserve duty) of the collective agreement that will see changes. These includes:

  • 35-3.03: The conversion from AM Reserve Periods to flexible Reserve Periods for a Reserve Block, if required, will now be based on seniority.

Given the changes found in the Reserve article, Cabin Personnel are encouraged to review the section in detail and become familiar with each provision.

Things to keep in mind:

  • A flexible Reserve Period can be anywhere in between 0600 LBT (Local Base Time) mad 2100 LBT

  • The reserve window will not be longer than 10 hours

  • The Company may contact a Reserve Holder between 1000 LBT and 2000 LBT at least twelve (12) hours before the commencement of a Reserve Block to convert AM Reserve Periods to flexible Reserve Periods for a Reserve Block.

  • The more senior Reserve Holder will have the right to decline the conversion when more junior Reserve Holders are available.

  • The most junior qualified Reserve Holder must accept the reserve assignment

  • When CS (Crew Scheduling) call the most senior reserve holder and they do not answer immediately, they will continue calling the next reserve holder until the AM Reserve Block has been converted. However, CCMs must return a call from CS within 15 minutes of the initial call or will be coded as “No Show”.

  • 35-3.14: This provision outlines the Pairing Assignment Process for a reserve holder. It outlines how Crew Scheduling will first assign pairings to reserve holders and in what order. It is key to note that more senior cabin crew will have a right to pass on assignments if more junior crew members are available.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Assignments will be made to the Reserve Holder with the number of available Reserve Periods remaining exactly matching the length of the available pairing.

  • Example: If you are starting a 5-day res block and the offering is for a 5-day pairing, is it more likely that the pairing will be assigned to you if you are the only reserve holder that matches the length of the pairing.

  • If there are more than one CCMs holding the same number of days, the one with more seniority has the right to decline and the most junior must accept.

  • When CS calls the most senior and they don’t answer immediately, they will continue calling the next res holder until the pairing is assigned. However, CCMs must return a call from CS within 15 minutes of the initial call or will be coded as “No Show”


Airport standby reserve (ASR):
While there is no change to how airport standby reserve functions, the assignment process will change starting March 2 to be based on seniority in accordance with 35-3.14.

Things to keep in mind:

  • If you have been assigned ASR, you are required to report at the airport of your base as before and remain at the airport, ready to respond within 10 minutes of CS contacting you and able to be at the gate in a reasonable time. Ensure to let CS know when you arrive at the airport.

  • The duty period will begin at the required Airport Standby Reserve Report Time.

35-4.02 An ASR period will be for a maximum of five (5) consecutive hours which must begin within the scheduled Reserve Period
Example: You are on AM Reserve (0300 LBT) and being assigned an Airport Standby Reserve to begin at 7AM. The start of your duty period starts at 7AM and ends at 12 NOON, not from 3 AM scheduled reserve period. This also applies to duty time and duty extensions for that particular duty day.

  • Be mindful of the 18-hour duty limit from the start of the reserve period to release at end of day.

  • Assignment may be made to a flight departing within the ASR period or no later than two (2) hour after the ASR period. If no assignment is made by the end of the ASR period, the Reserve Holder will be released for a rest period.

  • There will be no more than 2 ASR per res block unless the CCMs agrees with more

  • If a pairing is not assigned, the CCM will receive 4 hours credit.

Mostly important notes to take away if you are unsure of how this implementation works:

  1. Know your Collective Agreement and your responsibilities

  1. Be respectful with CS and your DPM

  1. Take the pairing and grieve later

  • Contact your DPM and seek for guidance (via email using your company/Westjet email or give them a call)

  • Have the following information with you:

  • Pairing date and pairing number

  • Number of days assigned

  • Name of the Crew Scheduler (make sure to ask whom you are speaking with when taking a call)

  • Date and time of call

If you have further clarification regarding Scheduling, please email: wr.src@cupe4070.ca.

If you have further clarification regarding your Collective Agreement, email your base VP using your personal email: https://www.cupe4070.ca/contact


In Solidarity,
WestJet Encore YYC Base VP, Colleen Tracey
WestJet Encore YYZ Base VP, Mauricio Mejia