WestJet Company Seniority Lists Now on Website Portal

Dear Members,

The Union has obtained WS Company Seniority Lists broken down by each of our three (3) Inflight bases, from the Employer. We know this is something our Members have been asking for due to recalls being executed by base. The interim WestJet Company Seniority Base Lists are located in the Member Portal on the CUPE 4070 Website.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: These Company Seniority Base Lists are NOT the Master Seniority List (MSL).

The MSL is currently in the final stages of vetting by the Union. Once the Union’s concerns are addressed by the Employer, the Parties will release the MSL to the Membership. This is expected in the near future, although we do not have an exact date to share at this time.

Once the MSL is released, as per Article 15-3 of the Collective Agreement (CA), Members will have thirty (30) calendar days to contest, in writing, any alleged error or omission related to them.

If you have not created a profile on the Union website, you can find the instructions HERE.

As always, if you require any assistance, or have any questions or concerns, please contact us: cupe4070.ca/contact

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

International Flight Attendant Day

Dear Members,

International Flight Attendant day is on Monday, May 31.  To celebrate, your CUPE 4070 Occupational Health and Safety Committees and your CUPE 4070 Executive, will be out in the bases May 31st, 2021. We want to thank our crews not only for all your hard work during this difficult year, but also for your continued commitment to keeping yourselves, your colleagues, and our guests safe. 

If you are checking in for a pairing or checking out from a pairing, on Monday May 31st, stop by one of the CUPE offices in your respective base.

YVR CUPE Office is located on the Ground Transportation level, the level below Domestic Arrivals.  From the escalator on Ground Transportation level: Turn right and walk down the hallway past the medical clinic towards Pass Control. Walk past Pass Control and through the double doors.  To the left of the elevators is a hallway, walk straight down (not the hallway marked YVR IT Training Centre) and we are the first door on the left, office B1101.5.

YEG elected representatives will be looking out for you at the airport!
YYC CUPE Office is located on the arrivals level, behind baggage carousal 7
YYZ CUPE Office is located Arrivals T3 next to out of town and Sunwing offices
YHM elected representatives will be looking out for you at the airport!

Our goal is to reach as many Cabin Personnel as possible - we look forward to seeing familiar faces on Monday.

If we miss you Monday, we encourage crews to submit a crew “maskie” (selfie wearing a mask) using the hashtag #internationalflightattendantday, tag @cupe4070 and post to Instagram.

Let’s recognize our incredible colleagues after one of the most difficult years in aviation history.    

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Health and Safety Committees | WestJet, WestJet Encore, and Swoop

Education Committee Update

Dear Members,


Many of you have inquired about language courses as well as scholarships/bursaries. Although the scholarships/bursaries have yet to be brought forward and voted on at our General Membership Meeting May 21, 2021, we are pleased to offer some options pertaining to education and language courses offered through many different mediums. We have researched a few options for you, please note these options are not limited to what is presented by your Education Committee on behalf of your CUPE 4070 Executive:

Public Libraries offer Rosetta Stone, Mango Languages, Pronunciator Language Learning, and a variety of language learning options. Check with your local public library for details.

Many Universities offer Language Courses  through Continuing Education and Faculty of Extension programs, many of which are being offered online. Course costs are reflected below (these costs may vary depending on the institution):

Absolute beginners French: $145

French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish Level 1-3: $395 per level

Sign Language: $395


Language Apps:

Babbel: 

1 year subscription: $9.99/month

6 month subscription: $12.99/month

3 month subscription: $14.99/month

*They currently offer a 50% discount on 1 year subscriptions and 35% discount on 6 and 3 month subscriptions.
 

Rosetta Stone:

Lifetime unlimited membership: $179

With Live: $299 (this includes live conversations with real people of language you are learning)

Additional Learning Resources: 

CUPE offers courses to the membership as well, please have a look at what is available through CUPE Union Education. The following workshops are scheduled for May and June:

* Times are local in the province the virtual workshop is being held, please be sure to check the timezone when registering.

May

May 27 - 11:00am-2:00pm - Sexual Harassment Webinar: Resources and Law for Unions and Workers l Canadian Union of Public Employees

May 31 – 5:30pm-6:30pm - Bill 32: Dealing with Difficult People
Bill 32: Dealing with Difficult People | Canadian Union of Public Employees

June

June 4 – 6pm-9pm - Trustee Orientation
LET - Trustee Orientation (OLS) | Canadian Union of Public Employees

June 5 – 9am-noon - Secretary-Treasurer Orientation
Secretary-Treasurer Orientation (OLS) | Canadian Union of Public Employees

June 11 – 9am-4pm – Introduction to Stewarding Part 1 and Part 2– 9am-4pm
Introduction to Stewarding - Part 1 and Part 2 | Canadian Union of Public Employees

June 15 – 5:30pm – 8:30pm - LET – Virtual Membership Meetings
LET - Virtual Membership Meetings (OLS) | Canadian Union of Public Employees

If you have any questions, please contact your CUPE Local 4070 Education Committee at: education@cupe4070.ca or reach out to your Base VP.
 

Coursera:  an American online course provider, which was founded in 2012, who works with other universities and organizations to offer an array of online courses, certificates, and degrees.  Here are a few of their current courses being offered, however not limited to:

• Chinese for Beginners

• Buddhism and Modern Psychology

• Introduction to Yoga and Physiology

• Foundations of Mindfulness

• Financial Markets

• Psychological First Aid

• First Step Korean

• Stanford Introduction to Health

• Principles of Sustainable Finance

Other courses are offered within many different subject, including but not limited to:These are to just mention a few.  They offer courses in many topics…Arts and Humanities (338 courses), Business (1095 courses), Language Learning (150 courses) , Physical Science and Engineering (413 courses), Personal Development (137 courses).  Coursera offers courses for free, with the option to purchase the certificate prior to as well as after completion of the courses.

*Some other sites that are similar to Coursera are: alison.com, shawacademy.com.

We look forward to your attendance for the General Membership Meeting, May 21,2021, where your vote will count towards the future of our LOCAL 4070. For more information on the GMM CLICK HERE.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Education Committee

General Membership Meeting UPDATE - May 21, 2021

Dear Members,

The next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will take place on May 21, 2021 at 12:00PT / 13:00MT / 15:00ET.  All Members in Good Standing of CUPE Local 4070 are encouraged to attend. 

**Please note: General Membership Meetings are only open to Members in Good Standing. To sign a card and pay the $5 initiation fee, please visit www.cupe4070.ca/signacard. Please ensure you have signed your card at least 24 hours prior to the GMM to ensure it is processed.

Due to COVID and ongoing public health orders prohibiting in person gatherings, the GMM will be held live via Zoom. 

You will not be able to attend the GMM without registering. Registration will be open from now through the GMM. Once your registration is approved, you will be sent a link for the meeting. We ask that you register as soon as possible to ensure us time to approve your registration.

Click here to register for the GMM

***Please call or log on prior to the start of the GMM. This will put you in the waiting room until the start of the meeting. If you encounter any technical difficulties, please email Communications@cupe4070.ca and include your name, workgroup, and employee number***

The Meeting Agenda, Secretary Treasurer's Performance Report, and meeting minutes from the last GMM (held on August 6, 2020 in YVR) will be posted  in the Member’s Portal cupe4070.ca no later than 24 hours prior to the start of this GMM. 

If you have not registered for the Member’s Portal please find the instructions below:

WestJet Members

WestJet Encore Members

Swoop Members

Priority Agenda Items:

• Bargaining for WO and WR

• Elections

• WS Collective Agreement - MSL and Implementation Timelines

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are attending the GMM via the phone number provided in the invitation, you will not be able to vote on any motions brought to the floor. You will only be able to vote when attending the GMM from the Zoom app or web link.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

WestJet Workforce Update - May 2021

Dear Members,
 

As we continue with what we truly hope is the road to recovery, we would like to confirm the following recalls for each bargaining unit that are effective during the month of May. Consistent with what occurred in 2020 when recalls occurred, the Union will once again begin releasing monthly communications regarding workforce levels, once they are known.

As recalls for June 2021 have been announced for WestJet Members, but are still in process, we will update Membership on details of that recall in the next update.

WestJet (WS) Recall - May 2021: 

Total of 232 recalls, 75 from YVR, and 157 from YYZ.

The most junior Cabin Personnel hire date by base:

YVR - October 9, 2007

• 115 Accepted

• 15 Declined

• 10 No response

YYC - August 5, 2003

YYZ - January 3, 2011

• 157 Accepted

• 97 Declined

• 46 No response

WestJet Encore saw zero (0) recalls and no further layoffs, and Swoop saw a total of thirteen (13) recalls.

The Union will continue to work collaboratively with the Company to ensure that when signs of improving market demand are first seen. The Union responds efficiently and urgency, with the goal always of recalling as many Members across all bargaining units as soon as possible.

As always, if you require assistance from your Union, please contact us: cupe4070.ca/contact.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Recall Notice - WestJet (WS) Members - June 2021

Dear Members,

The Company has advised the Union of further recall for WestJet (WS) Members as follows:

- Recall will occur in the YYZ, YYC and YVR bases.
- Recall will be Expedited Recall, per the Layoff and Recall Article in the Collective Agreement.
- Recall Notices will be released later today for YYZ, followed by YVR and YYC in the next several days.
- Effective as soon as June 1, 2021 with necessary training scheduled for June prior to flying activity being added.

To ACCEPT or DECLINE Recall:
1) Check the personal email account that you have most recently registered with the Company related to your inactive status. If you need to change the email address on file with the Company, please reach out to peopleservices@westjet.com.
2) Ensure to check your ‘spam/junk’ folder, just in case.
3) The Company will provide official recall notice, or contingent recall notice to your personal email address, which will be marked in part by ‘SHORT NOTICE RECALL’.

Schedules following any mandatory training in June will be assigned at the Company’s discretion. The Union has been advised that Cabin Personnel recalled in June will likely see a high number of reserve days added to their schedule for the remainder of the month following any required training. Members accepting recall will be able to bid for the July 2021 block month onward.

Urgency to respond ‘ACCEPT’ or ‘DECLINE’ to Recall Notices:
In previous recalls, the non-response rate (meaning no reply of ‘accept’ or ‘decline’ recall) has been as high as 10 (ten) percent. As recovery of the industry progresses, recall may approach the lower end of a seniority list in any specific base at any time.

When a Member does not respond to a recall notice, that Members’ response defaults to ‘DECLINE’. In future recalls (standard, not expedited recall), should recall begin to be offered to Members in instances where there are no Members below them on the seniority list, the Cabin Personnel must accept the recall to their affected base or they will be deemed to no longer be employed by the Company, and recall rights will cease.

NOTE: It will be clearly indicated in your notice of recall that you must accept to maintain your relationship with the Company. The Union urges Members to read every Notice of Recall received to avoid any issues that may arise from not accepting a future recall. **By not accepting this type of recall your employment would be ended.**

Layoff and Recall article 5-06
“If a Cabin Personnel is recalled to their Affected Base they may decline a Notice of Recall and continue on layoff status provided there are more junior Cabin Personnel at their Affected Base in the same classification and with the same aircraft qualifications who remain on layoff. Once all junior Cabin Personnel are recalled, the Cabin Personnel must accept the recall to their Affected Base or they will be deemed to be no longer employed by the Company.”

The Union does not want any Member to be inadvertently, and permanently released from employment as a result of failing to respond to a recall notice. We urge all Members to respond to all Notices of Recall, either Accepting or Declining the recall, to ensure that this does not occur.

Company Seniority List vs. Master Seniority List:
This recall will use the Company Seniority List.

The work towards construction of the Master Seniority List (MSL) is well underway. We anticipate having the MSL released to Membership within approximately the next sixty (60) days.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Union at www.cupe4070.ca/contact should you have further questions regarding this recall.



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Recall Notice - WestJet (WS) Members YVR Base

Dear Members,

The Company has advised the Union of recalls for WestJet (WS) Members in the YVR base. A communication will be released by the Company later today, and recalls will be effective May 24, 2021 in order to facilitate necessary training to be fully qualified for the planned enhanced WS network flying as the summer months begin.

The Company is recalling into each base as necessary for their planned network flying, as per sub article 5.01 of the Layoff and Recall article in the Collective Agreement. Today’s recall is specific to the YVR base. The Union wishes to assure our Membership that we continue to work with our Employer to bring back Members across all of our bases as soon as possible.

Sub article 5.05 of the Layoff and Recall article of the Collective Agreement (CA) permits the Company to require an expedited response to a recall notice where “in exceptional circumstances, the Company requires additional Cabin Personnel on short notice and cannot provide the Cabin Personnel with seven (7) Calendar Days to respond to the Notice of Recall as outlined in 47-5.04 above, the Cabin Personnel will have forty-eight (48) hours from the date the email was sent to the Cabin Personnel to respond to the Company.”

In this instance due to significant training requirements, the Company will be using this 48-hour requirement for response to the recall notices.

The company will also be issuing contingency recall notices above and beyond their requirements in order to fill any vacancies due to Members that may wish to decline their recall notice. These notices will be indicated as such.

Please know that schedules will be assigned at the Company’s discretion and they have informed the Union that Cabin Personnel recalled in May will likely see a high number of reserve days assigned to them for the month of May due to the uncertainty of the federal government’s Covid response. Members accepting recall in this round will be able to bid for the June 2021 block month onward.

To find out if you are being offered a recall, check the personal email account that you registered with the Company when you began your most recent inactive status: Ensure to check your ‘spam/junk’ folder as well. The Company will provide any official recall notice to this address.

Ability to decline recall:

As per the Collective Agreement in place between WestJet and CUPE Local 4070, if you are able to hold recall, and recall is offered to you, you may elect to decline a recall and await a future recall. You may opt to decline any recall until such time as there are no other Members junior to you on the list, at which time a decline to recall would be the end of your employment.

Company Seniority List vs Master Seniority List:

As indicated during the CA ratification process, the Company Seniority List will continue to be utilized for layoff and recall until such time as the new Master Seniority List (MSL) under the CA has been constructed, released, and finalized, following the dispute period.

For clarification: This recall will use the Company Seniority List.

The work towards construction of the MSL has begun involving both the Union and the Company. We will separately communicate an update on this and other CA implementation progress soon. Your Union is pleased to be able to communicate this positive news today for our YVR based WS Members.

Despite increasing vaccination rates, please continue to follow all directions related to COVID-19 protocols from the Company and the Union, and use your PPE as appropriate and directed.

For concerns or questions related to health and safety, please contact the CUPE 4070 WestJet Health & Safety Committee at: ws.ohs@cupe4070.ca.

Additionally, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Union via our contact form: www.cupe4070.ca/contact should you have further questions regarding this recall.


In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

National Day of Mourning

Hello CUPE 4070 Members,
 
On April 28th of each year, the National Day of Mourning is a chance for us to remember and reflect on those that have been hurt or have died on the job. Roughly 1000 workers a year in Canada lose their lives, and we as your Heath & Safety Committee Members believe this is too high and strive everyday to prevent this number from increasing.

We have been hit hard by this pandemic and have had Members directly impacted from Covid-19. The sacrifices made over the last 13 months has been nothing short of amazing, and we can now finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.  Thank you!

Our goal moving forward is to support our Members with increased awareness, better legislation, and the resources necessary to keep us safe.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Health & Safety Committee
WestJet - ws.ohs@cupe4070.ca
WestJet Encore - wr.ohs@cupe4070.ca
Swoop - wo.ohs@cupe4070.ca
 

Watch a message from CUPE’s National Officers

Recall Notice - WestJet (WS) Members

April 27, 2021

Dear Members,

The Union is thrilled to inform you that the Company has advised us of recalls for WestJet (WS) Members in the YYZ base. A communication will be released by the Company later today, and will be effective May 10, 2021 in order to facilitate necessary training to be fully qualified for the planned enhanced WS network flying as the summer months begin.
 
The Company is recalling into each base as necessary for their planned network flying, as per sub article 5.01 of the Layoff and Recall article in the Collective Agreement. While today’s recall is specific to the YYZ base, the Union wishes to assure our Membership that we continue to work with our Employer to bring back Members across all of our bases, and hope to have further positive developments soon. It is anticipated that the Company may be in a position to announce YVR base recalls as early as next week.
 
Sub article 5.05 of the Layoff and Recall article of the Collective Agreement (CA) permits the Company to require an expedited response to a recall notice where “in exceptional circumstances, the Company requires additional Cabin Personnel on short notice and cannot provide the Cabin Personnel with seven (7) Calendar Days to respond to the Notice of Recall as outlined in 47-5.04 above, the Cabin Personnel will have forty-eight (48) hours from the date the email was sent to the Cabin Personnel to respond to the Company.”
 
In this instance due to significant training requirements, the Company will be using this 48-hour requirement for response to the recall notices.
 
The company will also be issuing contingency recall notices above and beyond their requirements in order to fill any vacancies due to Members that may wish to decline their recall notice. These notices will be indicated as such.
 
Please know that schedules will be assigned at the Company’s discretion and they have informed the Union that Cabin Personnel recalled in May will likely see a high number of reserve days assigned to them for the month of May due to the uncertainty of the federal government’s Covid response. Members accepting recall in this round will be able to bid for the June 2021 block month onward.
 
To find out if you are being offered a recall, check the personal email account that you registered with the Company when you began your most recent inactive status: Ensure to check your ‘spam/junk’ folder as well. The Company will provide any official recall notice to this address.
 
Ability to decline recall:
 
As per the Collective Agreement in place between WestJet and CUPE Local 4070, if you are able to hold recall, and recall is offered to you, you may elect to decline a recall and await a future recall. You may opt to decline any recall until such time as there are no other Members junior to you on the list, at which time a decline to recall would be the end of your employment.
 
Company Seniority List vs Master Seniority List:
 
As indicated during the CA ratification process, the Company Seniority List will continue to be utilized for layoff and recall until such time as the new Master Seniority List (MSL) under the CA has been constructed, released, and finalized, following the dispute period.
 
For clarification: This recall will use the Company Seniority List.
 
The work towards construction of the MSL has begun involving both the Union and the Company. We will separately communicate an update on this and other CA implementation progress soon.
 
Your Union is pleased to be able to communicate this positive news today for our YYZ based WS Members. Please be assured that we are in touch daily with the Company, and we hope to be able to bring further positive news for all bases soon. 
 
Despite increasing vaccination rates, please continue to follow all directions related to COVID-19 protocols from the Company and the Union, and use your PPE as appropriate and directed.
 
For concerns or questions related to health and safety, please contact the CUPE 4070 WestJet Health & Safety Committee at: ws.ohs@cupe4070.ca.
 
Additionally, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Union via our contact form: www.cupe4070.ca/contact should you have further questions regarding this recall.
 



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

National Survey on Harassment and Violence at Work

Dear Members,

As a chartered Local of CUPE, Local 4070 is affiliated with The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). The CLC Women’s Advisory Committee is conducting a national survey on workplace violence and harassment. This survey is open to workers of all genders and results of this research will inform policy and education initiatives on workplace violence and sexual harassment. 

Take the survey now

The survey is being conducted by the Canadian Labour Congress in partnership with research experts at Western University. It is the first ever survey on violence and sexual harassment with a national reach in Canada, and will help unions, employers, and policy makers create safer workplaces for everyone.

This survey is for everyone - whether or not you have experienced or witnessed workplace violence or harassment. It will take approximately 10 to 30 minutes to complete, and all respondents will remain anonymous.

Your participation makes a difference! Thank you for helping make work safer for everyone.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

CUPE 4070 General Membership Meeting - May 2021

Dear WestJet Members,

We are excited to announce the next General Membership Meeting (GMM) for CUPE Local 4070. Due to the restrictions created by the pandemic the GMM will be held virtually:

Friday May 21, 2021 

12:00PT / 13:00MT / 15:00ET  - 13:00PT / 14:00MT / 16:00ET

Location: Zoom

All Members In Good Standing (have signed a card and paid the $5 initiation fee) are eligible to participate. The meeting will be 60 minutes and dedicated to the official meeting agenda, and allow motions from the floor.

If you have not signed a card and would like to participate you can sign your card here.

The General Membership Meeting will be held over Zoom Webinar. Information on how to attend will be released in early May.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Union Clarification on Company Announcement re: Eastern Service Resumption

Dear Members,

You may have seen the Company press release and/or media coverage that WestJet and WestJet Encore will be resuming services in June to: Quebec City, Moncton, Fredericton, Charlottetown and Sydney, NS.

The Union was provided a briefing on this news by the Company on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. We would like to share with our Membership the context surrounding this announcement, and its implications for our Membership.

At present, across all three networks, we are only operating approximately 8% of the capacity that we were prior to the pandemic. The resumption of service to these five stations will increase that capacity by only 1%, for a total network capacity of 9% of pre-pandemic levels.

Based on today’s announcement, combined with the fact that current active Members are blocked significantly lower than their minimum monthly guarantee (MMG), the Company has indicated that this news will not result in recalls at any of the three airlines for Cabin Crew or Pilots.

While this news does not immediately mean recalls for our Members, signs of progress and rebuilding are positive, and always welcome.

We will continue to keep you informed as information related to recovery, route or destination returns, and ultimately, recall information becomes known to the Union.

This has been a long and very difficult time for all of our Members, whether active or not. Please know that each of us elected to represent you recognize this, and we will continue to lobby governments on all of our behalf, along with the CUPE Airline Division and with our Employer. We remain hopeful that further into the summer we will see more restrictions lifted and further signs of recovery for our Company and our sector overall.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact us at: www.cupe4070.ca/contact.
 

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

WestJet Tentative Agreement Ratification Results

Dear WestJet Members,

The voting period in the WestJet (WS) Tentative Agreement ratification process concluded today March 20, 2021 at 15:00PT / 16:00MT / 18:00ET.

The results are as follows:

“Are you in favour of the Tentative Agreement as presented? / Êtes-vous en faveur de l’entente de principe, tel que présenté?”

This Member vote requires 50% plus 1 (one) vote to ratify:

Yes / Oui: 1663 votes (66.8%)

No / Non: 826 votes (33.2%)

The Tentative Agreement is RATIFIED.

All CUPE Local 4070 Members in the WestJet (WS) bargaining unit immediately fall under this binding Collective Agreement (CA).

This Collective Agreement is effective retroactively to March 1, 2021 and remains in full force and effect until December 31, 2025 at 23:59MT.

Following the twenty-day process since reaching a Tentative Agreement (TA) at the negotiating table, the WestJet Bargaining Committee, and the CUPE Local 4070 Executive, along with other elected representatives, congratulate our Membership on ratification of our historic first ever union Collective Agreement.

A specific thank you is due to the many other union representatives who helped throughout the lengthy bargaining process, as well during the ratification process. These include:

• the 4070 Communications Committee members from all three bargaining units: a true team effort.

• all Stewards across our entire network.

• all mobilizers and mobilizing coordinators.

• our five CUPE National representatives.

The work towards full implementation of the changes across every aspect of our employment experience will begin immediately. Certain items such as per diem increases will be retroactive to March 1, 2021. Others will commence as of April 1, 2021 (the first full monthly blocking window following ratification), and some will be phased in as indicated in the implementation schedule that was released to Membership as part of the TA package that was voted on.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact us at: www.cupe4070.ca/contact. If your questions are regarding the CA, and not of an immediate nature, please know that further communications will be released frequently as implementation proceeds.

We are so proud of the engagement and questions that the Membership sent our way over the past weeks. It remains our privilege to represent you. Congratulations.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE WestJet Bargaining Committee
Your CUPE Local 4070 Executive Team