Dear Members,

Your Union has been informed that there will be further job reductions at WestJet (WS) effective for the March 2021 block month.

These reductions are a result of the January 12th announcement that the United States will require a negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to boarding a flight to the USA, coupled with the January 29th announcement that all major Canadian carriers will cease service to sun destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. The demand that our Company had spent the past 11 months attempting to rebuild has been removed essentially with the stroke of a government pen.

As with the February 2021 reductions, the Employer will be offering voluntary layoffs as a mitigation measure should anyone that would not face furlough be interested in this option. This option will be awarded by date-of-hire (DOH) seniority. The Employer has or will be sending an email with details to all currently active Members to your company email.

These are voluntary layoffs for Members who would not necessarily be impacted by this further layoff. Recall will occur based on market demand and network growth, and based on your DOH seniority. Please be assured that your Union is involved in this process at every step. Active Members can expect notification to your company email soon offering this opportunity, and providing more details.

Once voluntary layoffs are awarded, the remaining number of required layoffs will be assigned by reverse-seniority, based on DOH. Members who will be placed on involuntary layoff will be notified by the Company next week after processing voluntary layoffs. Please see the Company email for more details. The specific number of job reductions will be communicated by WestJet.

CUPE Local 4070 continues to work with the CUPE Airline Division, Our Employer, CUPE National, as well as online and with traditional media to tell the evolving story of neglect, disrespect and simple ignorance shown to us, the workers that help to power USD$36 billion of annual GDP in this country. We will continue this work, including appropriate collaboration with WestJet where appropriate.

This storm will come to an end eventually. That is of no consolation to our close to 3,500 Members who will be on furlough as of March 1st, or the thousands of other cabin personnel across Canada who remain out of work, and removed from their passion.

Should you have further questions regarding the March 2021 voluntary or involuntary layoffs, please first contact your DPM and/or leadership team.

Should you require further assistance from the Union, please contact us at www.cupe4070.ca/contact.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team