Policy Grievance (WS-POL-2021-001)

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“As formal and informal supply of childcare declines, the demand for unpaid childcare provision is falling more heavily on women, not only because of the existing structure of the workforce, but also because of social norms. This will constrain their ability to work, particularly when jobs cannot be carried out remotely. The lack of childcare support is particularly problematic for essential workers who have care responsibilities.” - UN Secretary-General’s policy brief: The impact of COVID-19 on women

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Dear Members,


Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers in the fields of economics, social sciences, and our brothers and sisters in labour have been sounding the alarm on the disproportionate impacts of the economic crisis on female workers.

On June 18, 2021, the Union filed their first Policy Grievance (WS-POL-2021-001) with the Employer on behalf of all Westjet (WS) Local 4070 Members.

A policy grievance is unique, in that it does not represent an individual member, but rather, alleges a violation that impacts or could potentially impact all members in a Bargaining Unit. For that reason, we are not bound to the same confidentiality as we would be for an individual grievance affecting one specific member.

The Backstory
The airline industry is robustly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and recalls are occurring with regular frequency. However, other industries that were already limited and strained prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as childcare, have been slower to rebound.

The Union heard from many Members on protected leaves, such as maternity, parental and disability leaves, who had never been officially furloughed due to those protected leaves. These Members, upon notifying the employer that their leaves were set to end, were told that since they had never been furloughed, and because they would have received notice of recall prior to the end of their leave, they were now obligated to return to work.

Many of those Members were struggling to find childcare, or balance other care responsibilities in the home while returning to work. Some members, as a result, opted to end leaves early in order to be issued a layoff notice. This allowed them the same opportunity to safely retain their employment without having to return to work until they were the most junior employee in their base.

The Union approached the Employer several times over the last few months on behalf of these Members. We expressed repeated interest in working on a solution which would not result in hardship for individuals who found themselves in these situations. We were repeatedly met with an overall reluctance to provide simple solutions.

Needless to say, the Union believes this decision has a disproportionate adverse impact on women and mothers in our Membership, as they struggle to balance the immense responsibilities of child and family care with frontline jobs which they are unable to perform remotely.

The Grievance
After filing the Grievance, the Union met with the Employer on July 6, 2021 for the grievance hearing. We took the opportunity to detail the challenges our Members faced in their personal lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Union was willing to work with the Employer and offered a variety of available and creative solutions that would adequately support the needs of these Members; including but not limited to Unpaid Leaves of Absence until the members were most junior on the recall list and the Canadian Caregiver Recovery leave.

The Union maintained there is no monetary or operational hardship to the Employer working with us on this issue. These Members are aware that they are not eligible for compensation under CEWS or from the Employer themselves and with the number of Members that still remain on layoff, and many eager to return to work, we argue their continued absence would create no hardship for the Company. These Members simply need time to allow every-day life to recover post-pandemic before they return to work.

On July 19, 2021, the Employer denied the Grievance and requested the Grievance be withdrawn.

The Union was, admittedly, stunned by this response. Leaning on technicalities around layoffs and protected leaves, the Employer maintained that their hands were tied. The Union reminded them that we had identified these technical concerns in the hearing, and had clearly indicated a willingness to work together on any solution which would adequately provide for equal opportunity to members in this situation.

The Union met with CUPE Legal Counsel on July 21, 2021 and discussed our intention to arbitrate the denial of the Policy Grievance. This matter is scheduled to be reviewed by the Grievance Committee on July 27th.

If you are impacted by this decision, we urge you to provide details on your situation to the Union. Reach out to your Base VP, outlining any pertinent information, copying your Lead Steward and CUPE National Representative.

For Members in Calgary:
Brigitte.Benoit@cupe4070.ca; Jamie.loiselle@cupe4070.ca; vodell@cupe.ca

For Members in Toronto:
Chantale.Tremblay@cupe4070.ca; Jamie.loiselle@cupe4070.ca; vodell@cupe.ca

For Members in Vancouver:
Crystal.Hill@cupe4070.ca; Jamie.loiselle@cupe4070.ca; vodell@cupe.ca

If you would like to read the full report from the UN Secretary-General about the impact of COVID-19 on women and girls, please click here.



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

WS MSL Update

Dear Members,

There continues to be a lot of discussion and concern about the Master Seniority List (MSL). Many Members have asked that we explain this concisely in a communication, this note is to explain the decisions made to develop the list as presented. We also want to let you know what our options were, and the reasons for the choices we made.


How we got here

Over the past 25 years, we've worked with ever changing and confusing rules about service and seniority. At different times, these rules included: 

1. The option to leave the department for different lengths of time (ranging from 6 to 12 months) while maintaining or accruing years of service 

2. Being able to leave the Company for periods of time while maintaining or accruing years of service 

3. "One off" emails and conversations with managers, allowing some employees the option of leave while maintaining or accruing years of service 

4. Giving previous Inflight Leadership the option to approve lapse in qualifications with unbroken years of service. This was the situation under the old WCCA agreement.

Employees made career and life decisions under confusing, changing and sometimes inconsistent guidelines.

It gets even more difficult: some individuals had to re-train after an absence. Company records are (as a result of these inconsistent rules) not always accurate.

The position of the union, as expressed by Members in surveys and discussions, is simple. Seniority and service start with training. Breaks in service to work elsewhere sever a member's rank on the list.

Going forward, that training date will be the date used. But for service to this date, the issue boiled down to using the first training date, or using the most recent training date. *It is also important to note that Company records do not accurately reflect a consistent set of rules, approvals or parameters applied to any one CCM at any given time.


The role of the bargaining committee and the executive

The local bylaws state that a Bargaining Committee disbands once a collective agreement is signed. In this case, the executive asked the committee to stay on and build the Master Seniority List.

The parameters in which the Master Seniority List would be created was presented to the Executive. The Executive identified the issue of inaccuracies and inconsistencies in employee records. We noted that a large number of Members would be disadvantaged using the most recent IAT. Members who have never left the department would lose a significant amount of time as reflected in their years of service.


Collective Agreement Language

The contract reads:

15-4.01 Cabin Personnel seniority shall begin to accrue at the date of successful completion of in-class initial training. If the seniority date of two (2) or more Cabin Personnel is the same, the Cabin Personnel with the lower employee number shall have more seniority.

We are limited by this language. We cannot add language where there isn’t any in the Collective Agreement. We received legal advice that the decision has to be applied to all Members or none. We have no option to start using cumulative years of inflight service. The contract only speaks to how cabin personnel are attributed on the list. Namely, “successful completion of in-class initial training.” The contract doesn’t say which completion of in-class initial training (for Members who had multiple training).


The Options 

*Option 1 included language that is not in compliance with the CA.

To review an initial draft of Option 1 MSL parameters and to gain more insight on where Option 2 came from, click here.

The Executive discussed leaving the list as the Bargaining Committee created it. This still left many Members losing many years of service in the inflight department. The Executive deliberated and voted to create the Master Seniority List using the first IAT date. This option creates a situation where a handful of Members who intentionally left the company or department gain rank. But it also ensures that the rest of the membership sees a fair reflection of their time in inflight.

Upon further review of “Option 1”, we discovered many other administrative issues with placement on the list that are also not reflected in employment records. In the absence of reliable and complete employee files, the Executive came to the conclusion that the only responsible way to build the MSL was to move forward with first IAT and not retroactively apply language.

If Employee records accurately reflected changes in parameters for accrual of time served, there would be more options available. The Executive determined the least amount of harm would be to grant Members who had never left inflight department their years of service when creating the very first Master Seniority List, even if it meant that a handful of Members be given years of service for intentionally leaving the department or company.


Seniority from other parts of WestJet

There are Members who would like to carry service from other departments, WestJet Encore or Swoop into this contract. Attempts were made to align bargaining committees from all 3 units. But these efforts were unsuccessful. Until we go through another round of bargaining, this is not an option available to us.


Conclusion 

We understand the frustration about the handful of Members who ‘unfairly’ benefit from using the first IAT date. But the alternatives result in many more losing significant years of inflight service.

This was not an easy decision, but it is based on union principles of solidarity. 

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

MSL Townhall Reminder

Dear Members,


We ask that you join us at the live WS MSL Townhall today, Friday, July 16, 2021, at 12:00PT / 13:00MT / 15:00ET. 

There is no need to register for the MSL Townhall and all WestJet Members are welcome.
 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE TOWNHALL

*If you are unable to attend, the WS MSL Townhall will be recorded and available to view on our website alongside an FAQ. To access the recording, which will be up on the web within 48 hours of the Townhall on Friday, you’ll need to log in to the portal using your credentials.

**If you need help with your Portal login, or to set up access to the CUPE4070 Web Portal, click here.

If you would like to participate without the Zoom App you can do so by using the numbers below:

Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

Canada: +1 647 558 0588  or +1 778 907 2071  or +1 204 272 7920  or +1 438 809 7799  or +1 587 328 1099  or +1 647 374 4685

Webinar ID: 962 6853 7490

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/ad2Tow5J



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

WS MSL Townhall (WS)

Dear Members,


Your WestJet Base VPs have received many questions and concerns regarding the WestJet Master Seniority List (MSL) and how it was constructed. We would like to take the opportunity to share some insight about how the MSL was created, what that process looked like, and answer your questions about the MSL.

Please join your CUPE Local 4070 Executive this Friday, July 16, 2021 at 12:00PT / 13:00MT / 15:00ET for a live MSL Townhall via Zoom.

There is no need to register for the MSL Townhall and all WestJet Members are welcome.
 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE TOWNHALL
 

*If you are unable to attend, the WS MSL Townhall will be recorded and available to view on our website alongside an FAQ within 48 hours of the Townhall. To access the recording, you will need to log in to the portal using your credentials.

**If you need help with your Portal login, or to set up access to the CUPE4070 Web Portal, click here.

If you would like to participate without the Zoom App you can do so by using the numbers below:

Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
Canada: +1 647 558 0588  or +1 778 907 2071  or +1 204 272 7920  or +1 438 809 7799  or +1 587 328 1099  or +1 647 374 4685

Webinar ID: 962 6853 7490

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/ad2Tow5J

We hope you can join us and we look forward to connecting with you!

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Release of WestJet (WS) Master Seniority List

Dear Members,


After a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes in conjunction with the Company, we are pleased to inform you that today the first Master Seniority List (MSL) for WestJet (WS) will be published. Much of this work involved data gathering from paper/hard copy personnel files prior to electronic records being adopted by the Employer. Your patience awaiting the first MSL has been appreciated as the Parties ensured the utmost attention to accuracy in construction of the list.

The MSL has been formed based on the following:

- A Members’ date of completion of their first Inflight in-class training, or “IAT” at WS.

- If more than one Member has the same IAT date, the Member with the lower employee number shall have greater seniority.

Seniority accrual and removal on/off of the MSL will be in accordance with Article 15 of the Collective Agreement (CA) as of the ratification date of the CA (March 20, 2021).

In creating the starting point of the MSL, your elected Union Executive was tasked with the requirement to uphold the language contained in the CA. Compiling the first ever MSL must be done in a manner that is satisfactory with Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) regulations, and is neither arbitrary nor targeted/punitive towards any individuals or groups. The MSL must respect the concept of time served Inflight, directed by the Membership as a bargaining priority.

The MSL will be the governing seniority list moving forward once the dispute period has concluded. The MSL will be finalized and re-published to the membership after all disputes have been reviewed and addressed.

Members who have concerns with their own seniority date, or any information related to themselves on the MSL (such as base, equipment, status or classification) will be able to submit a dispute to the Company as per deadlines as follows:

1) By July 18, 2021 at 23:59MT to have the dispute considered prior to the 2022 Vacation Bid period. The Company’s external software vendor for this first Vacation Bid under Article 46 of the CA requires the seniority list being used for this round of Vacation bidding to be at their headquarters by end of July.

2) Within thirty (30) calendar days from the date the MSL is posted, for all disputes not filed by the above noted deadline: by August 12, 2021 at 23:59MT.

As a reminder, and as per the CA - a Member may only dispute their own placement on the MSL. Disputes related to another Members’ placement on the MSL will not be considered by the Union and Company, and will not receive a response.

If you wish to file a dispute under either of the deadlines outlined above, please follow the link provided by the Company (“Master Seniority List Dispute form”) in their e-mail today (July 13, 2021) regarding the release of the MSL.

A copy of the most recent MSL will also always be posted to the Union website (www.cupe4070.ca) behind the Member Portal.

To set-up access to the Website Portal, please click on this email.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Union at www.cupe4070.ca/contact.


In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Reminder: WS August 2021 Recall - Closing in 48 Hours

Dear Members,


This is a reminder from your Union that the WestJet (WS) Recall response window for the August 2021 Recall closes in forty-eight (48) hours.

This Notice is being sent to ALL WestJet (WS) Members with a personal email registered with the Union. Receiving this Notice from the Union does not indicate that you have personally been sent a Notice of Recall from the Employer.

Please verify via the most recent email address that you have registered with the Employer to determine if you have received a Notice of Recall. We suggest you check your ‘Junk’ folder - just in case.

To avoid end of employment, you must respond either Accept or Decline (defer) if you have been sent a Notice of Recall.

Please read ALL of the below ALERTS related to (WS) Recall:

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


In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Workforce Update (WS) - July 2021 Recall #2

Dear Members,


Below is the summary of recalls that occurred at WestJet (WS) in the second (2nd) round of July 2021 recalls that have now been awarded.

WestJet (WS) Recall - Round #2 July 2021: 

Click here to review the WestJet (WS) Recall - Round #1 July 2021 email.

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

WestJet By-Election Vote Results

Dear Members,


Below are the results of all WestJet by-elections ending today.

WestJet (all Members):
Committee Against Racism and Discrimination (CARD)
Lindsay Poll 299 (32.4%)
Valerie Dupre 228 (24.7%)
Minh Ly 223 (24.2%)
Jaime Hernandez Delgado 172 (18.7%)

Women's Committee
Dawn Wieliczko-Wester 600 (63.6%)
Valerie Dupre 343 (36.4%)

A total of 943 Members voted in these elections.

WestJet YVR Base:
Scheduling Review Committee
Sarah Ferraro 145 (78.4%)
Nicole Jansen 40 (21.6%)

Uniform Committee
Nick Lainas 139 (75.1%)
Elizabeth Greene 46 (24.9%)

Commuter Committee
Corie Lyn Ives 154 (83.2%)
Elizabeth Greene 31 (16.8%)

A total of 185 Members voted in these elections.

WestJet YYC Base:
Scheduling Review Committee
Shelley MacDonald 254 (54.2%)
Lisa MacLellan 215 (45.8%)

Return to Work
Brandy Whitby 294 (62.7%)
Murray Marquis 175 (37.3%)

Temporary Bylaw Committee
Laura McDonald 296 (63.1%)
Sylvia Alves 173 (36.9%)

A total of 469 Members voted in these elections.

WestJet YYZ Base:
Scheduling Review Committee
Calvin Gautschi 190 (61.9%)
Natasha Kervin 117 (38.1%)

Commuter Committee
Julien Sauve 164 (53.4%)
Kerry Hoger 143 (46.6%)

A total of 307 Members voted in this election.

Congratulations to all Members elected to their Committee and thank you to all Members who took the time to participate in this Nomination and Election process.

For a recap of acclaimed positions, please review this email here.

Clerical Error:
During the voting period, we were made aware of a Member who was nominated that did not receive a confirmation of nomination email. This was investigated and the Member should have been sent one. I called the Member to apologize and to offer a solution. The solution was to re-run the election for this Committee and include her. The Member declined this offer. I would like to once again apologize to the Member from WestJet YYC. This was a regrettable situation that we endeavor to avoid in the future.


In Solidarity,
Marco Di Virgilio, Recording Secretary & Returning Officer - CUPE 4070

Residential School and Reconciliation

Dear members,

As many of us spend the day celebrating Canada’s 153rd year, we ask that you also spend time reflecting on the history that has created this country we call our home. With each recovery of unmarked graves at residential schools across the country, we are reminded of how genocide and colonialism have taken the lives, culture and history of Indigenous Peoples.

These recent discoveries highlight that it is more important than ever to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their unceded territories, honour treaties, as well as to preserve and protect their cultures and languages.

CUPE 4070 has engaged with the WestJet Group on how our two organizations can best move forward committing to meaningful reconciliation.

Read CUPE Local 4070 Letter to WestJet ELT

We have asked the Westjet Group to adopt the 92nd Call to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and outlined a number of points we believe will increase safety, accessibility and visibility for Indigenous Members, and Indigenous people within WestJet’s world.  We have also asked the Westjet Group to commit to supporting Indigenous Nations in the research and recovery efforts in their communities, either through financial support or in kind.

Throughout these discussions, the WestJet Group has committed to sitting down with CUPE 4070 to have meaningful discussions around what we can do to support our Indigenous Members as well as the Indigenous Communities within Canada. If you would like to participate in this, please reach out to your Base VP at www.cupe4070.ca/contact. One (1) Member from each Bargaining Unit will be chosen by random from those who step forward.

CUPE 4070 reaffirms our commitment to meaningful reconciliation, to respecting our ongoing treaty relationships, and stands in solidarity and in mourning with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation, the Cowessess Nation, the Ktunaxa Nation and all Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island.

If you or anyone you know requires support you can find resources below or through our Crisis Hotlines Document:

Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line 

1-866-925-4419

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line

www.hopeforwellness.ca (online chat available)

1‑855‑242-3310

Crisis Services Canada

1-833-456-4566 or text 45645

In Solidarity,

Your CUPE 4070 CARD Committee and Executive Team

Reminder: WS July 2021 Recall #2 - Closing in 48 Hours

Dear Members,


This is a reminder from your Union that the WestJet (WS) Recall response window for the July 2021 Recall #2 closes in forty-eight (48) hours.

This Notice is being sent to ALL WestJet (WS) Members with a personal email registered with the Union. Receiving this Notice from the Union does not indicate that you have personally been sent a Notice of Recall from the Employer.

Please verify via the most recent email address that you have registered with the Employer to determine if you have received a Notice of Recall. We suggest you check your ‘Junk’ folder - just in case.

To avoid end of employment, you must respond either Accept or Decline (defer) if you have been sent a Notice of Recall.

Please read ALL of the below ALERTS related to (WS) Recall:

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



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

WestJet By-Election Update & Voting Package

Dear Members,


I would like to provide you with an update on the by-election.

The following is a breakdown of the positions that were up for nomination, the nominees and their resume/info sheet (if submitted) and the Committee's current status:

Scheduling Review Committee – 1 per base:
 
YVR – Election Required:
Nicole Jansen
Sarah Ferraro – READ MORE

YYC – Election Required:
Shelley MacDonald – READ MORE
Lisa MacLellan – READ MORE

YYZ – Election Required:
Natasha Kervin – READ MORE
Calvin Gautschi – READ MORE
 
Uniform Committee – 1 per base:
 
YVR – Election Required:
Nick Lainas – READ MORE
Elizabeth Greene
 
YYC – Acclaimed / No election:
Fabricio Loza-Alvarado
 
YYZ – Acclaimed / No election:
Mark Rose
 
Health & Safety Committee – 2x YYZ base only – Acclaimed / No election:
Wendy Garcia
 
Union Steward 1x YVR base only:
VACANT
 
Committee Against Racism and Discrimination (CARD) – 1 (any base) – Election Required:
Jaime Hernandez Delgado – READ MORE
Valerie Dupre
Minh Ly – READ MORE
Lindsay Poll – READ MORE
 
Commuter Committee – 1 per base:
 
YVR – Election Required:
Corie Lyn Ives
Elizabeth Greene
 
YYC:
VACANT
 
YYZ – Election Required:
Julien Sauve – READ MORE
Kerry Hoger – READ MORE
 
Return to Work – 1 per base:

YVR:
VACANT
 
YYC – Election Required:
Murray Marquis – READ MORE
Brandy Whitby – READ MORE
 
YYZ:
VACANT
 
Temporary Bylaw Committee – 1 per base:
 
YVR – Acclaimed / No election:
Nicole Jansen
 
YYC – Election Required:
Laura McDonald – READ MORE
Sylvia Alves – READ MORE
 
YYZ – Acclaimed / No election:
Alexandre Grigoriev – READ MORE
 
Women's Committee – 1 (any base) – Election Required:
Valerie Dupre
Dawn Wieliczko-Wester – READ MORE
 

Congratulations to the Members acclaimed to their Committee!

We will proceed with elections as follows:

All WestJet Members, regardless of base:
-Committee Against Racism and Discrimination (CARD)
-Women's Committee

YVR Base Only:
-Scheduling Review Committee
-Uniform Committee
-Commuter Committee

YYC Base Only:
-Scheduling Review Committee
-Return to Work
-Temporary Bylaw Committee

YYZ Base Only:
-Scheduling Review Committee
-Commuter Committee

If you receive a link to vote in a base specific election that is not your base, please do not vote and contact Marco Di Virgilio, Recording Secretary & Returning Officer at: marco.divirgilio@cupe4070.ca. Please include your full name, airline, corrected base and employee number in the email.

Members In Good Standing (signed card and paid a $5 Membership fee) can vote in this election. If you wish to participate in this election process and have not signed a card, please sign a card and pay the $5 Membership fee on our website at least 24 hours before the election end for processing. SIGN A CARD HERE

Your secure voting link will arrive via email from vote@simplyvoting.com

If you do not find your voting link in your email, please check your spam/junk folder.

If you are still unable to locate this link, please email Marco Di Virgilio, Recording Secretary & Returning Officer at: marco.divirgilio@cupe4070.ca. Please include your full name, airline and employee number in the email.

Election:
START: June 28, 2021 @ 03:00 PT / 04:00 MT / 06:00 ET
END: July 4, 2021 @ 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET

Electoral Officer:
The Electoral Officer for this election will be Kendra Thibault, WestJet Encore Cabin Crew Member - YYC Base.



In Solidarity,
Marco Di Virgilio, Recording Secretary & Returning Officer - CUPE 4070

WS Printed Copy of Collective Agreement (CA) - Personal Selection

Dear Members,


As per Article 51 of the Collective Agreement (CA), WestJet (WS) Members are now eligible to opt in to receive a paper copy of the WestJet (WS) Collective Agreement in either English or French.

Please fill out this form on the website by July 9, 2021 at 15:00PT / 16:00MT / 18:00ET if you would like a printed copy of the CA.

Article 51-1.02 of the CA states that: “A Cabin Personnel is not obligated to take a paper copy.” Should you not wish to have a paper copy, you may fill out the form indicating this as your selection, or alternatively simply do not complete the form.

Please Note: If you do not fill out the form you will be opted out of receiving a printed copy. Electronic copies are available on the CUPE 4070 Website, as well as the Cabin Crew Device (CCD).

This is a one-time opportunity to obtain a printed copy of your CA. There will not be a further printing of the CA during the term of the agreement. If you do want a paper copy - this is your one-time opportunity to request one.

If you have any questions, or require assistance from your Union, please contact us: www.cupe4070.ca/contact.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Workforce Update (WS) - June & July 2021

Dear Members,


Below is the summary of recalls that occurred at WestJet (WS) in June 2021, and the recalls from the first round of July 2021 recalls that have now been awarded.

As recalls for the second round of July 2021 have just been announced today for the YYC and YVR bases, the Union will update the Membership on the details of that recall following final recall awards.

WestJet (WS) Recall - June 2021:

WestJet (WS) Recall - Round #1 July 2021:

WestJet Encore and Swoop Recalls for June and July 2021 (combined):

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


In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Recall Notice #2 - WestJet (WS) Members - July 2021

Dear Members,


The Company has advised the Union of a second recall for WestJet (WS) Members during the month of July, 2021:

• WS recall to YYC / YVR bases only

• Notices of recall and contingent notices of recall will be released by the Company later today, Tuesday June 22, 2021.

• This recall will not be expedited, meaning Members will have the full seven (7) days to respond to the recall notice as per Article 47 of the Collective Agreement.

• Failure to accept or decline a 7 day recall will end your employment.

• Members will be recalled in their base on a specific date in late July 2021, to facilitate required training. The exact recall date will be base specific and will be indicated on your recall or contingent recall notice.

• Members being recalled will bid for and hold a full block award for the August 2021 block month.

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 contact peopleservices@westjet.com.

2)   Ensure to check your ‘spam/junk’ folder, just in case.

3)   The Company will provide an official recall notice, or contingent recall notice to eligible Members’ personal email address on file.

Schedules following any mandatory training in July will be assigned based on what is available.

Company Seniority List vs. Master Seniority List:
This recall will use the Company Date-of-Hire Seniority List.

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

WestJet, WestJet Encore & Swoop By-elections

Dear Members,


Nominations for various Committees and Union Steward positions are now open.
 

Please review the following information carefully:

Nominations Open: June 16, 2021 @ 03:00 PT / 04:00 MT / 06:00 ET

Nominations Close: June 22, 2021 @ 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET

Members In Good Standing (signed card and paid $5 Membership fee) can nominate other Members In Good Standing at their own airline. If you wish to participate in this nomination and election process and have not signed a card, please sign a card and pay the $5 Membership fee on our website at least 24 hours before the nomination & election end for processing. SIGN A CARD HERE

Vacant Positions:

WestJet

• Scheduling Review Committee – 1 per base

• Uniform Committee – 1 per base

• Health & Safety Committee – 2x YYZ base only*
  *(must be an active employee)

• Union Steward 1x YVR base only

• Committee Against Racism and Discrimination (CARD) – 1 (any base)

• Commuter Committee – 1 per base

• Return to Work – 1 per base

• Temporary Bylaw Committee – 1 per base

• Women's Committee – 1 (any base)

WestJet Encore

• Scheduling Review Committee – 1 (any base)

• Uniform Committee – 1 (any base)

• Health & Safety Committee – 1x YYZ base only*
  *(must be an active employee)

• Union Steward – 2x YYC base / 8x YYZ base

• Committee Against Racism and Discrimination (CARD) – 1 (any base)

• Commuter Committee – 1 (any base)

• Return to Work – 1 (any base)

• Temporary Bylaw Committee – 1 per base

• Women's Committee – 1 (any base)

Swoop

• Scheduling Review Committee – 1 (any base)

• Uniform Committee – 1 (any base)

• Committee Against Racism and Discrimination (CARD) – 1 (any base)

• Return to Work – 1 (any base)

• Temporary Bylaw Committee – 1 (any base)

• Women's Committee – 1 (any base)

 (The nominee and nominator must be from the same base if the vacancy is base specific)

Nomination Forms:

WESTJET

WESTJET ENCORE

SWOOP

All nomination forms must be filled out electronically or printed and scanned and sent by email to: elections@cupe4070.ca by June 22, 2021 @ 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET
Please include the position and nominee name in the subject line of your email.
 
NOTES:

• The nominator must discuss the nomination with the nominee and both must be Members In Good Standing (Signed Union card and paid $5 membership fee)

• Only one nomination form is required per nominee for the same position.

• You cannot nominate yourself.

Nomination Confirmation:
On June 23, 2021, all Members who have been nominated will be sent an email from Marco Di Virgilio, Recording Secretary & Returning Officer, asking if they will allow their name to stand on the ballot and accept the nomination. These individuals will have until June 25, 2021 @ 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET to accept or decline their nomination.

If you are nominated for a position, please monitor your email and spam/junk folder during this period. Nominees who do not reply by the deadline will automatically be considered to have declined their nomination.

Resume/Information Sheet:
All nominees that accept their nomination will be given the opportunity to provide a one (1) page (8.5x11 size) resume/info sheet which can be posted on our social media pages and website with links sent by email to all Members In Good Standing for review.

Nominees must send their resume/info sheet in PDF format to: elections@cupe4070.ca by June 25, 2021 @ 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET. You can start creating your resume/information sheet ASAP.

PLEASE DO NOT

• Submit large file resume/info sheets

• Use company logos

• Provide any information you don’t want public

Elections:
START:  June 28, 2021 @ 03:00 PT / 04:00 MT / 06:00 ET
END:  July 4, 2021 @ 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET


Electoral Officer:
The Electoral Officer for this election will be Kendra Thibault, WestJet Encore Cabin Crew Member - YYC Base.



In Solidarity,
Marco Di Virgilio, Recording Secretary & Returning Officer - CUPE 4070

Reminder: WestJet (WS) Recall Closing in 48 Hours

Dear Members,


This is a reminder from your Union that the WestJet (WS) Recall response window for the July 2021 recall closes in forty-eight (48) hours.

To avoid end of employment, you must respond either Accept or Decline (defer).

Failure to provide a response to any 7 day recall will end your employment.

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



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Recall Notice - WestJet (WS) Members - July 2021

Dear Members,


The Company has just advised the Union of a further recall for WestJet (WS) Members.

• WS recall to all bases: YYZ / YYC / YVR

• Letters of recall and contingent letters of recall will begin being released by the Company later today, Tuesday June 8, 2021.

• This recall will not be expedited, meaning you will have the full seven (7) days to respond to the recall, as per Article 47 of the Collective Agreement.

• Failure to accept or decline a 7 day recall will end your employment.

• Members will be recalled in each base on a specific date in July 2021, to facilitate required training. The exact recall date will be base specific.

• Members being recalled will bid for and hold a full block award for the August 2021 block month.

 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 contact peopleservices@westjet.com.

2)   Ensure to check your ‘spam/junk’ folder, just in case.

3)   The Company will provide an official firm recall notice, or contingent recall notice to your personal email address.

Schedules following any mandatory training in July will be assigned based on what is available.

Company Seniority List vs. Master Seniority List:
This recall will use the Company Date-of-Hire Seniority List.

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


In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

UPDATE: WestJet (WS) Master Seniority List

Dear Members,

Your WestJet Bargaining Committee and Local Executive would like to provide an update on the construction of the Master Seniority List (MSL), as outlined within Article 15 - Seniority, of the Collective Agreement (CA).

Article 15-2.03 of the CA indicates that the Parties would be required to meet within ninety (90) days of ratification, to ‘review and discuss finalizing the MSL’. This initial meeting occurred on April 12, 2021, twenty-three (23) days following ratification.

This meeting saw both Parties agree on the intentions in bargaining of how the MSL would be constructed, as per the language contained in Article 15 of the CA.

Being the owner of personnel files, and employment records, the Company agreed to commence work on the creation of the MSL, based on mutual agreement of the concepts identified during this initial meeting.

The Company indicated to the Union that as a result of employment records from Company start until 2010 not being electronic, they estimated the process of creating the initial MSL as taking thirty (30) or more days.

On June 2, 2021 the Parties met to discuss certain concerns related to the preliminary MSL provided to the Union at the end of May. The MSL has and continues to be scrutinized by the Local 4070 Bargaining Committee, and the Company has been responsive to the concerns of the Union.

The Union anticipates a further meeting soon with the Company, following a presentation of a version two of the MSL.

Your Local 4070 Executive, and Bargaining Committee are working diligently to ensure that the MSL is released to the WS Membership promptly. We appreciate the anticipation of the release of the MSL, and will ensure that the MSL released to the Membership is vetted, scrutinized and is an accurate list.

We will release the MSL to all WS Members as soon as it is ready. At that time, the ‘Correction to Master Seniority List’ period of thirty (30) days will commence, as per Article 15-3 of the CA. Upon completion of corrections to MSL (if necessary) the MSL will be final, and in full effect.

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


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

May 2021 GMM Recap

Dear Members,


On May 21, 2021 your Local and its Executive held a General Membership Meeting via Zoom. The full recording of the GMM in its entirety, along with the requested budget and income statements from a Member motion at the meeting, are available on our Local’s website cupe4070.ca. 

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

WESTJET

WESTJET ENCORE

SWOOP

Some key moments from the meeting:

• The Board report motions were adopted as well as acceptance of all 196 new Members who had applied for Membership since the previous GMM. It is with great sadness that we lost Aurel Poirier. Forever in our minds and hearts. A moment of silence was observed.

• The Board provided a trial procedure update. There are seven trial complaints, five of which are proceeding to trial. These trials will be panel appointed by CUPE National President Mark Hancock. Chris Rauenbusch and Marco Di Virgilio are respondents on three, two of which include Kruti Sutaria. Two additional complaints are to be investigated. Anticipated date of outcome was to be June 12 or shortly thereafter. Since the GMM this date has been modified to June 28, by CUPE National.

• Implementation of the WestJet Collective Agreement (CA) with WestJet Encore and Swoop to follow once bargaining concludes; expected by end of year for WestJet Encore and Swoop.

• A new implementation of a structured process for committees. The committee vacancies nominations will begin in June 2021.

• The Committees to be filled by the next election are:*

  • Scheduling Review Committee

  • Uniform Committee

  • Health & Safety Committee - YYZ Base vacancy

  • Union Steward vacancies

  • Committee Against Racism and Discrimination (CARD)

  • Commuter Committee

  • Return to Work and Accomodation Committee

  • Temporary Bylaw Committee

  • Women's Committee
    
    (Some Committees may see a reduced workload due to Collective Agreement implementation timelines)

*Note: Any Member in Good Standing with recall rights can run for any position and vote in all elections. Meaning, even if furloughed, a Member can still run for any position and vote. 

**Reminder: You must be nominated for a position to run for a position. Nomination forms will be sent out with election notices

• Board training for grievance handling & parliamentary procedure training. Workshop for virtual meetings. Grievance handling for stewards coming. Exec leadership training.

• Motion adopted for the creation of a new Bylaw Committee:
  To strike a special temporary Bylaw Committee under Section 15 a) Special Committees of the current Bylaws.
  -Following the acceptance of this motion the board shall hold an election to create the committee within 45 calendar days.
  -This committee will dissolve after its first presentation of amendments to Members, and the conclusion of an election of Members to a permanent Bylaw committee.
  -This committee will consist of up to six (6) Members, comprised of one (1) per base from WestJet, one (1) per base from WestJet Encore and one (1) Member from Swoop.
  -The committee shall select a Chair and a Secretary.

• Motion adopted to present the budgets and income statements to the Membership: located in the Member Portal of cupe4070.ca on the General Membership Meetings page.

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Happy International Flight Attendant Day!

Dear Members,

Today is International Flight Attendant Day! It is a day to celebrate all of the amazing work we all do every single day. This year is particularly important to recognize as this last year has been especially challenging. We are immensely proud to represent such a strong group of Members.

For our many Cabin Crew Members who have been working throughout the pandemic, thank you! You have been paramount for getting Canadians home safely, and continuing to get our guests where they need to go across our beautiful country and beyond.

If you are passing through the bases today, please look for your CUPE 4070 Executives and Health and Safety Committee Members from WestJet, WestJet Encore, and Swoop.

To our Members on furlough, we recognize that today’s celebration is not the same without you.  We miss you and we look forward to seeing you in the sky again!

CUPE Airline Division has put together a message for all of our wonderful Cabin Crew Members CLICK HERE.

In Solidarity,
CUPE 4070