Dear WestJet Members,

Today, management communicated internally to our Membership their expectation that all remaining furloughed WestJet (WS) Members from all bases will be recalled by approximately April 2022. This is excellent news. 

The Union has spent the past several days in meetings with the Employer going over their intended process(es) with the sole focus on ensuring that the integrity of the Collective Agreement (CA) is upheld while the multiple outlined initiatives are executed by management. 

The Union is optimistic about the positive outlook shared by the Employer. In this moment, nothing is more important than returning all of our furloughed Members to active status after such a prolonged absence from the skies. 

The Union does have considerable reservations regarding the Employer’s attempt to execute a sizable and multi-faceted undertaking in such a short period of time. Based on our discussions with the Employer, we are assured processes will be followed in accordance with the CA language. 

Based on past trends  the Union remains cautious about the Employer’s ability to execute flawlessly. We are committed to ensuring recalls, vacancy bids, and flow programs are available to the membership as soon as possible, and your Union will monitor the actions and execution of these programs by the Employer. 

For our Members currently on furlough: As of today, the following is the plan being communicated by the Employer:

"Returns - Complete all recall processes 

YYZ – All remaining CCMs on the recall list will receive a mandatory recall notice, likely effective the third week of February. This is in accordance with Article 47-5.04 of the Collective Agreement.

YYC – We anticipate recalling all remaining YYC Cabin Personnel through March and April. Details related to the recall for this base will be communicated within the coming weeks.

YVR – We have exhausted the recall list in YVR and are preparing for the out of base recall for those Cabin Personnel remaining on the YYC recall list in March, in accordance with the Collective Agreement.

Leaves - Leave Of Absences (LOAs)

We anticipate a busy summer travel period, which will require all Cabin Crew Members to be proactively recalled so that training classes can take place between now and April ahead of peak season. While we manage the effects of the Omicron case surge, we expect to be temporarily overstaffed, but it’s an important step to ensure we have enough trained Cabin Personnel to operate during the summer months.

We’re offering either 30 or 60-day unpaid LOAs to anyone interested in taking some time away prior to summer to remain as operationally efficient as possible.

Cabin Personnel who have a training event (including LIDS) in either March or April will not be eligible for an LOA. Watch for additional details regarding the LOA program in a separate email.

Moves - Vacancy bids

Starting with a YVR vacancy bid in February, all eligible Cabin Crew Members in accordance with the Collective Agreement may take part in a voluntary vacancy bid to move to the YVR base. The first application details will be shared next week and YVR vacancies will be the first to come into effect on April 1, 2022. Both YYC and YYZ are expected to offer vacancy bids at a later date.

Intakes - Flow program and initial hiring 

In support of outstanding network requirements, we will once again commence our flow program and welcome Cabin Crew Members/Flight Attendants from Encore and Swoop to our WestJet team. Additionally, as we work through the last of the recall lists, we will begin welcoming new hires to WestJet as we move forward on our path to recovery."

Please contact the employer directly regarding specific programs being offered.

Should you have any questions regarding our Collective Agreement, your Union can help! Please contact us at http://www.cupe4070.ca/contact
 

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team