Local News

Calvin Gautschi 2021-12-04 Calvin Gautschi 2021-12-04

CUPE 4070 Election Results

Dear Members,

Below are the results of the CUPE 4070 3 Year Trustee election ending today.

Tara Keeping 642 (72.2%)
Natasha Kervin 247 (27.8%)

A total of 894 Members voted in this election (including 5 Abstain).

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

Below are the results of the CUPE 4070 WestJet YVR Base Occupational Health & Safety election ending today.

Derek Mansfield 137 (77.0%)
Jesse Leger 41 (23.0%)

A total of 178 Members voted in this election.

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

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

Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-30 Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-30

CUPE 4070 - 2021 Election Update - Nominations Closing Today – DEC 1, 2021

Dear Members,

The CUPE Local 4070 nominations close today, December 1, 2021 at 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET.

For a preview of general Rules of Officers, please review SECTION 8 and for Committees SECTION 15 of our bylaws that are always accessible on our website HERE.

The following positions are open for nomination:

WestJet, WestJet Encore, & Swoop:
1x 2-year Trustee**

**This position is a 2-year term, ending November 2023.

WestJet:
1x YVR Base Vice President
1x YYZ Bylaw Review Committee Member*
2x YYZ Based Steward*

WestJet Encore:
1x YYC Bylaw Review Committee Member*
1x Communications Committee Member
1x Commuter Committee Member
1x Education Committee Member
1x Return to Work Committee Member
1x Scheduling Review Committee
7x YYC Based Stewards*
5x YYZ Based Stewards*
1x Grievance Committee Member (Stewards will receive nomination information for this position from the Base VPs. Nominees must be a Steward)

Swoop:
1x Scheduling Review Committee
*The nominee and the nominator must both be Members in Good Standing and based in the same base
Please note that all Committee Member and Steward positions, as well as WS YVR Base VP, are 1-year terms. These positions will end November 2022, as this is a by-election for vacant Committee and Steward Positions.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY

Nomination Period:
START:Saturday November 24, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET
END:Saturday December 1, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET

All WestJet CUPE 4070 Members In Good Standing (signed card and paid $5 Membership fee) can nominate other Members In Good Standing. 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

Nomination Form

All nomination forms must be filled out electronically or printed and scanned and sent by email to: elections@cupe4070.ca by Saturday December 1, 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)
These base specific positions require the nominee and the nominator to be based in the same base.
Only one nomination form is required per nominee for the same position.
You cannot nominate yourself.

Nomination Confirmation:
Beginning on Thursday December 2, 2021, all Members who have been nominated will be sent an email from Sylvia Alves, Communications Chair, asking if they will allow their name to stand on the ballot and accept the nomination. These individuals will have until Friday December 4, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET to accept or decline their nomination.

If you have been 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 Sunday December 5, 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:
Elections may be staggered:
Elections Start Tuesday December 7, 2021 - dates and times will be confirmed once the nomination period ends.

The election ballot will arrive from @simplyvoting.com. If you do not find the election ballot in your email inbox, please check your spam/junk folder.

Known Email Issues:
Members using a Telus email account may need to contact their provider to add simplyvoting.com as an approved incoming email address.

If you have voting link issues please contact Lou Arab at: l arab@cupe.ca and include your full name, airline and employee number.

Electoral Officer:
The Electoral Officer for this election will be Jordan Christenson, WestJet Cabin Crew Member - YYZ Base.

In Solidarity,
Sylvia Alves
Communications Chair - CUPE 4070

Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-29 Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-29

Secondary Recall

Dear Members,

As you may recall, attached to each Tentative Agreement during ratification, was a Memorandum of Agreement connecting all three bargaining units, WestJet, WestJet Encore and Swoop. To review this document and/or download for your reference click here.

Through a shared interest in allowing Cabin Personnel on layoff from one Company to access work at another Company, Secondary Recall was ratified by the membership at all three workgroups.

The Union would like to announce application for Secondary Recall is now live. Members interested in being placed on the Secondary Recall list can apply here.

The Union is responsible for creating and maintaining Secondary Recall lists for each Company base. The updated Secondary Recall Lists must be provided to the Companies no later than the 10th day of the month that is two (2) months prior to the monthly scheduling period for which the Secondary Recalls (if any) would take effect.

December 2021 placements on the Secondary Recall List will close Monday December 6th, 2021 at 1800MST and be effective February 2022. **Signing up for secondary recall effective February 2022 (or any subsequent month) does not guarantee recalls will occur.**

Carefully read the requirements, process and outlined terms and conditions including the “freeze period” of Secondary Recall in both the attached MOA and application form.

Please note, Secondary Recall is not “flow”. There is an outlined process for flow from WestJet Encore and Swoop to WestJet. This process can be found under Section 4 and is subject to the terms and conditions of the attached MOA.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-26 Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-26

CUPE 4070 Elections Update & Voting Package - Trustee / Committees / Stewards

Dear Members,

I would like to provide all CUPE 4070 Members with an update before elections open. Please note that WS YVR Members will receive two ballots (two separate emails from simply voting), all other Members will receive one.

Friendly reminder that nominations for the next by-election are still open, please check the November 24, 2021 email for more information.

This election will run as follows:
START: Saturday November 27, 2021 10:00 PT / 11:00 MT / 13:00 ET
END: Saturday December 4, 2021 10:00 PT / 11:00 MT / 13:00 ET

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 Lou Arab, CUPE National Communications Representative, at: l arab@cupe.ca. Please include your full name, airline and employee number in the email.

This vote is open to all CUPE 4070 Members in Good Standing. Any new Members wishing to participate in this vote are asked to complete the Membership application 24 hours prior to the end of the voting period: click here.

Please review the following information regarding the CUPE Local 4070 Election:

CUPE 4070 (WestJet, WestJet Encore, & Swoop)
3-Year Trustee - Election Required:
Natasha Kervin - Read More
Tara Keeping - Read More

WestJet
YYZ Occupational Health & Safety Committee - Acclaimed / No election:
Dionne Klassen

YVR Occupational Health & Safety Committee - Election Required:
Derek Mansfield - Read More
Jesse Leger - Read More

YVR Communications Committee - Acclaimed / No election:
Sonja Bergen - Read More

YVR Steward - Acclaimed / No election:
Kim Kroeker

WestJet Encore:
YYZ Bylaw Review Committee - Acclaimed / No election:
Kalliopi (Kelly) Tasopoulou - Read More

Women's Committee Acclaimed / No election:
Chantal Weeks - Read More

YYC Based Stewards - Acclaimed / No election:
Adrian Dayrit - Read More
Chantal Weeks - Read More

Swoop
Committee Against Racism & Discrimination Committee - Acclaimed / No election:
Theora Scott - Read More

YEG Based Steward - Acclaimed / No election:
Kristin Genest - Read More

YHM/YYZ Based Steward - Acclaimed / No election:
Lori Boccinfuso

Thank you to all the nominees for participating in this election.

In Solidarity,
Sylvia Alves - CUPE 4070 Communications Chair

Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-24 Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-24

WestJet, WestJet Encore, & Swoop Members - 2021 By-Election & Nomination Information

Dear Members,

Due to vacancies created by the Vice President and Secretary Treasurer Election, the CUPE Local 4070 by-election & nomination process starts today.

For a preview of general Rules of Officers, please review SECTION 8 and for Committees SECTION 15 of our bylaws that are always accessible on our website HERE.

The following positions are open for nomination:

*The nominee and the nominator must both be Members in Good Standing and based in the same base
Please note that all Committee Member and Steward positions, as well as WS YVR Base VP, are 1-year terms. These positions will end November 2022, as this is a by-election for vacant Committee and Steward Positions.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY

Nomination Period:
START:Wednesday November 24, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET
END:Wednesday December 1, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET

All WestJet CUPE 4070 Members In Good Standing (signed card and paid $5 Membership fee) can nominate other Members In Good Standing. 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

Nomination Form

All nomination forms must be filled out electronically or printed and scanned and sent by email to: elections@cupe4070.ca by Wednesday December 1, 202115:00 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)
These base specific positions require the nominee and the nominator to be based in the same base.
Only one nomination form is required per nominee for the same position.
You cannot nominate yourself.

Nomination Confirmation:
Beginning on Thursday December 2, 2021, all Members who have been nominated will be sent an email from Sylvia Alves, Communications Chair, asking if they will allow their name to stand on the ballot and accept the nomination. These individuals will have until Saturday December 4, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET to accept or decline their nomination.

If you have been 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 Sunday December 5, 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:
Elections may be staggered:
Elections Start Tuesday December 7, 2021 - dates and times will be confirmed once the nomination period ends.

The election ballot will arrive from @simplyvoting.com. If you do not find the election ballot in your email inbox, please check your spam/junk folder.

Known Email Issues:
Members using a Telus email account may need to contact their provider to add simplyvoting.com as an approved incoming email address.

If you have voting link issues please contact Lou Arab at: l arab@cupe.ca and include your full name, airline and employee number.

Electoral Officer:
The Electoral Officer for this election will be Jordan Christenson, WestJet Cabin Crew Member - YYZ Base.

In Solidarity,
Sylvia Alves
Communications Chair - CUPE 4070

Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-20 Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-20

CUPE 4070 Election Results - November 2021

Dear Members,

Below are the results of all CUPE 4070 elections ending today.

Vice President
Crystal Hill 452 (33.6%)
Tara Mowat 274 (20.3%)
Val Dupre 190 (14.1%)
Laura McDonald 185 (13.7%)
Charles Brochu 103 (7.6%)
Adrian Dayrit 84 (6.2%)
Christian Hidalgo 59 (4.4%)

Secretary Treasurer
Alex Grigoriev 758 (57.0%)
Riley MacLean 294 (22.1%)
Kruti Sutaria 163 (12.3%)
Natasha Kervin 114 (8.6%)

A total of 1363 Members voted in this election.

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

The nominees and their bios for Trustee, Committees, and Stewards will be sent out November 26, 2021. The election period for these positions will be as follows:
START: Saturday November 27, 2021 10:00 PT / 11:00 MT / 13:00 ET
END: Saturday December 4, 2021 10:00 PT / 11:00 MT / 13:00 ET

In Solidarity,
Sylvia Alves - CUPE 4070 Communications Chair

Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-06 Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-06

CUPE 4070 - 2021 Election Update - Nominations Closing Today – NOV 6, 2021

Dear Members,

The CUPE Local 4070 nominations close today, November 6, 2021 at 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET.

For a preview of general Rules of Officers, please review SECTION 8 and for Committees SECTION 15 of our bylaws that are always accessible on our website HERE.

The following positions are open for nomination:

WestJet, WestJet Encore, & Swoop:
1x Vice President**
1x Secretary Treasurer**
1x 3-year Trustee***

**These positions are for a 2-year term, ending November 2023.
***This position is a 3-year term, ending November 2024.

WestJet:
1x YYZ Occupational Health & Safety Committee Member* (must be active)
1x YVR Occupational Health & Safety Committee Member* (must be active)
1x YVR Communications Committee Member*
1x YVR Based Steward*
1x YYZ Based Steward*

WestJet Encore:
1x YYC Bylaw Review Committee Member*
1x YYZ Bylaw Review Committee Member*
1x Communications Committee Member
1x Commuter Committee Member
1x Education Committee Member
1x Return to Work Committee Member
1x Women's Committee Member
9x YYC Based Stewards*

Swoop:
1x Committee Against Racism & Discrimination Committee Member
1x YEG Based Steward
1x YHM/YYZ Based Steward

*The nominee and the nominator must both be Members in Good Standing and based in the same base
Please note that all Committee Member and Steward positions are 1-year terms. These positions will end November 2022, as this is a by-election for vacant Committee and Steward Positions.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY

Nomination Period:
START:Saturday October 30, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET
END:Saturday November 6, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET

All WestJet CUPE 4070 Members In Good Standing (signed card and paid $5 Membership fee) can nominate other Members In Good Standing. 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

Nomination Form

All nomination forms must be filled out electronically or printed and scanned and sent by email to: elections@cupe4070.ca by Saturday November 6, 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)
These base specific positions require the nominee and the nominator to be based in the same base.
Only one nomination form is required per nominee for the same position.
You cannot nominate yourself.

Nomination Confirmation:
Beginning on Sunday November 7, 2021, all Members who have been nominated will be sent an email from Sylvia Alves, Communications Chair, asking if they will allow their name to stand on the ballot and accept the nomination. These individuals will have until Tuesday November 9, 2021 15:00 PT / 16:00 MT / 18:00 ET to accept or decline their nomination.

If you have been 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 Wednesday November 10, 2020 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:
Elections may be staggered:
Elections Start November 13, 2021 - dates and times will be confirmed once the nomination period ends.

The election ballot will arrive from @simplyvoting.com. If you do not find the election ballot in your email inbox, please check your spam/junk folder.

Known Email Issues:
Members using a Telus email account may need to contact their provider to add simplyvoting.com as an approved incoming email address.

If you have voting link issues please contact Lou Arab at: l arab@cupe.ca and include your full name, airline and employee number.

Electoral Officer:
The Electoral Officer for this election will be Jordan Christenson, WestJet Cabin Crew Member - YYZ Base.

In Solidarity,
Sylvia Alves
Communications Chair - CUPE 4070

Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-05 Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-05

General Membership Meeting (GMM)

Dear Members,

Thank you to all Members who were able to participate in today’s General Membership Meeting (GMM), your engagement is valued and much appreciated. For those of you who were unable to attend, unfortunately, we were not able to complete business due to time constraints. It has become evident that 2 hours is not sufficient for business to be conducted, and allow for adequate discussion and Q&A.

As per the motion passed at today's General Membership Meeting, this will serve as notice for a subsequent General Membership Meeting to take place as follows:

Date: Dec 20, 2021

Time: 10:00 PT / 11:00 MT / 13:00 ET

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Links for registration will be sent in a follow-up communication.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-03 Calvin Gautschi 2021-11-03

CUPE Local 4070 - General Membership Meeting (GMM)

Dear Members,

The next General Membership Meeting (GMM) for CUPE Local 4070:

Friday November 5, 2021

Toronto, ON (YYZ)

13:00ET - 15:00ET

Location: Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel
801 Dixon Road, Toronto ON M9W 1J5

*Note: This is NOT the Sheraton Gateway Hotel connected to YYZ Terminal 3.

Please note that while this meeting is being planned to occur live and in person for those able to attend - as always, access will also be available via dial-in access (including full Member voting rights). If you are a Member in Good Standing you will automatically receive a call prior to the start of the GMM.

All Members In Good Standing (have signed a card and paid the $5 initiation fee) are eligible to participate. The meeting will be two (2) hours.

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

Past meeting minutes have been posted to the CUPE 4070 Members Portal landing page under "General Membership Meetings".

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-10-30 Calvin Gautschi 2021-10-30

WestJet, WestJet Encore, & Swoop Members - 2021 Nomination & Election Information

Dear Members,

The CUPE Local 4070 nomination and election process starts today.

For a preview of general Rules of Officers, please review SECTION 8 and for Committees SECTION 15 of our bylaws that are always accessible on our website HERE.

The following positions are open for nomination:

WestJet, WestJet Encore, & Swoop:
1x Vice President**
1x Secretary Treasurer**
1x 3-year Trustee***

**These positions are for a 2-year term, ending November 2023.
***This position is a 3-year term, ending November 2024.

WestJet:
1x YYZ Occupational Health & Safety Committee Member* (must be active)
1x YVR Occupational Health & Safety Committee Member* (must be active)
1x YVR Communications Committee Member*
1x YYZ Based Steward*

WestJet Encore:
1x YYC Bylaw Review Committee Member*
1x YYZ Bylaw Review Committee Member*
1x Communications Committee Member
1x Commuter Committee Member
1x Education Committee Member
1x Return to Work Committee Member
1x Women's Committee Member
9x YYC Based Stewards*

Swoop:
1x Committee Against Racism & Discrimination Committee Member
1x Commuter Committee Member
1x YEG Based Steward
1x YHM/YYZ Based Steward

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)
These base specific positions require the nominee and the nominator to be based in the same base.
Only one nomination form is required per nominee for the same position.
You cannot nominate yourself.

Calvin Gautschi 2021-10-17 Calvin Gautschi 2021-10-17

Card Reader (WR) - Address Confirmation

Dear WestJet Encore Members,

The employer has notified the Union that they have not heard from about 85 CCMs who have yet to fill out their card reader address confirmation form. This is a requirement, and without the form being filled out correctly, they cannot send the device to Member's.

We want to remind all CCMs that it is urgent they fill out this form ASAP.

Those CCMs who have not done so are at risk of not being PCI compliant without these new devices, and must fill out this form to obtain their new card reader. The Employer has sent the following communication via comply read and sign for you to review:
Sept 13 – 21E-069
Oct 3 – 21E-074

WestJet Encore has sent out another notice to those who have not completed the form. They are giving them a final notice that they must fill out the form within 7 days or they may face progressive discipline.

May we all be reminded in the event of non- compliance, the article 29-5.01 of our Collective Agreement states that discipline will remain active for twenty-four (24) months of active employment from the date of issuance. So please respond accordingly.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-10-07 Calvin Gautschi 2021-10-07

A Message From Your Uniform Committee

To Our Amazing Membership,

Hello everyone, we are your newly elected Uniform Committee and we wanted to take a few minutes to introduce ourselves so that you know who is representing you and working hard to get the best for all of us in this department!

Mark Rose – WestJet Toronto Base, Chair
mark.rose@cupe4070.ca

My name is Mark and I’m a YYZ-based flight attendant who’s been with the company for 13.5 years. I’ve been a Cabin Manager on the wide body for a few years now, and prior to that was an OOT (Onboard Ops Team) for 5 years. If there’s one thing that I’m incredibly passionate about, it’s our uniform! I was brought onto the project in the very beginning by Juli Grbac (the designer hired to design our new uniforms at WS/WR) to design the accoutrements (wings, name badges, etc.) as I have design experience and CAD technical skills. I was very happy to be a part of the project. It was an eye-opening experience to see what went on in those meetings, and my experience there will help me in this position.

I’m so proud to see my designs come to fruition, for the most part, and be used as part of the new uniform. Our uniforms have come a long way since the “days of the denim”, and I recognize that we still have some work to do on them. I have dreamed of the day that WestJetters can walk through the airport and turn the heads of everyone we pass. I will do my absolute best to get us the vesture we deserve; a uniform that will make you proud to put on.

Wendy Moraghan – Swoop Hamilton/Toronto Co-Base, Secretary
wendy.moraghan@cupe4070.ca

My name is Wendy Moraghan and I’m proud to represent SWOOP as your elected Uniform Committee Rep.   After a 30-year career in law enforcement working as a police officer in various specialized units, I decided retirement wasn’t for me. I joined the aviation industry in October of 2019 when I was hired as a flight attendant with SWOOP YHM/YYZ based. This was one of the best decisions of my life and I am proud to work alongside some of the hardest working, most dedicated, professionals I have met and that I am proud to call my friends. I bring to this position, over 30 years of experience working with community organizations, holding positions of Chair and Board Member, member of the Halton Regional Police Joint Health and Safety Committee; responsible for reviewing incident reports and conducting workplace safety inspections, working on the New Horizons for Seniors Federal Grant Selection Committee in Ottawa and currently Vice Chair of The Willow Foundation, a not for profit charitable organization in Halton Region that raises funds for 3 Long Term Care Homes.

I am a wife, a mother of 6 adult children, and a “grammy” to 10 (soon to be 11) grandchildren.

I will work hard for all SWOOP members and represent you in a professional, dedicated manner. I strive to do what is right for SWOOP and hope to work with management to bring you uniforms, which you can you proud to wear, knowing they are professional, comfortable, stylish and safe.

I look forward to hearing from you and gathering information/ideas about what you want!!

Nick Lainas – WestJet Vancouver Base
n ick.lainas@cupe4070.ca

The fabric of who we are.

Some say fashion is what you buy and style is what you do with it. When you wear a uniform, the fashion is usually provided, but that doesn’t mean style shouldn’t play a big part of the look. Uniforms exist for some utterly practical reasons; when we look the same, we’re easily identifiable and trustworthy. Pretty important for an airline like us. The style part comes in when we start to tell the story of our brand and people through the fabric of our uniforms. Uniforms have to fit everyone, and perform well in a variety of challenging environments and tasks. Think about loading bags in all seasons, giving first aid at 40,000 feet, fixing aircraft engines and greeting and helping our guests at check-in counters and beyond – it all needs to be done looking like a pro and feeling comfortable. Our style has to be us.

As the airline grows and changes, our uniforms have to grow with it, or the story of who we are doesn’t make sense. To help with that job, we frontline WestJetters in a uniform committee and tasked them to work directly with VF Imagewear, our uniform provider, to take our uniforms to the next level.

“It's important to both come together collectively and bring identity to each individual while showcasing ourselves in the best possible way in an international market,” says committee member Nick Lainas, Cabin Crew Member (CCM), who has worked in the industry for two decades.

Fabricio Loza-Alvarado – WestJet Calgary Base
f abricio.loza-alvarado@cupe4070.ca

Fabricio Loza-Alvarado is a Nicaraguan-born Canadian that has worked in the beauty industry for more than two decades. Fabricio is energetic, motivated, fluent in English and Spanish, and has been at WestJet for over fourteen years. Fabricio is the former President of Aria Models Canada and a former Production Director for the Miss Universe Organization (Canada) - A pageant formerly owned by Mr. Donald J. Trump. Fabricio has worked with world-renowned designers, photographers and was part of the National School of Beauty by Clinique Canada. In 2015, Fabricio received the "Best Canadian Latino Artist Award" from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Fabricio is committed and honoured to be the elected uniform committee rep for the YYC base and looks forward to being an advocate for our people.

Kalliopi (Kelly) Tasopoulou – WestJet Encore Toronto Base
kelly.tasopoulou@cupe4070.ca

Hi everyone!

My name is Kalliopi (Kelly) Tasopoulou and I'm based in Toronto. I have been with WestJet Encore since August 2018 and I became a QCFA 6 months later. I was also chosen to take part in the uniform test group for our new uniforms, which provided me with great insight and valuable feedback from my colleagues. I'm very excited to bring all of the feedback to the committee and subsequently the company amongst all the other concerns and questions our members may bring forward.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding any part of our uniform, the policies or standards, please reach out and any one of us would be happy to assist you!

Kruti Sutaria – Executive Liaison, Secretary Treasurer
k ruti.sutaria@cupe4070.ca

My primary goal as Liaison is to support the Uniform Committee in any way that they need, whether that be helping coordinate surveys to the membership to asking the company for meetings to discuss standards. I am their bridge to the rest of the Executive board to make sure the issues that are brought to the Committee from the membership are acknowledged and actioned to the best that they can. I work very closely with the Chair Mark, to ensure that the vision of the committee comes to fruition.

I have worked at 1 other airline before WestJet, so I have the experience of wearing another uniform, and I am a hobby seamstress (have been for 15 years) so I am very familiar with the construction and design of garments from a creation standpoint. In a related endeavor, I have been one of the primary CUPE Executive’s that has been championing the recently awarded tattoo, piercing & mehndi (henna) arbitration that Air Canada recently received. I have been working with the Executive Board, the Uniform Committee and the company to modernize and liberate the standards at WS/WR/WO to align with the award.

I am excited to see what the Uniform Committee can accomplish!

From our first meeting, we can already see that we have a very passionate and dedicated group of people that will represent you to the best of our ability. We’re a group that isn’t afraid to voice our opinions, nor are we afraid to stand up for what we feel is the best for all of us when it comes to the uniform and all the standards around it. We’re here for you, and we want to hear your feedback - all of it. We’ll try to be as transparent as we can and keep you informed of all that’s happening with the projects that we’re working on.

If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: uniforms@cupe4070.ca and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

We wish you all very safe and happy flying.  Take care, everyone.

Sincerely,
Your CUPE 4070 Uniform Committee

Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-30 Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-30

National Day For Truth & Reconciliation

Dear Members,

September 30th marks Canada’s first National day of Truth and Reconciliation. The federal government recently passed legislation to make this date a federal statutory holiday entitled The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day provides an opportunity to bring awareness and reflection to the painful legacy and impacts of the residential school system and colonialism, which systemically till this day undermines and creates ongoing intergenerational harm to indigenous families and communities.

Reconciliation is the process of healing relationships between Indigenous people and our government. This term raises awareness about colonization, and requires public truth sharing, apology, as well as commemoration that acknowledges the ongoing effect on indigenous peoples. Building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities, including Indigenous worldviews in our everyday actions, and recognizing Indigenous sovereignty, are all ways we can commit to this ongoing process.

This day of truth and reconciliation fall under the 80th call to action:

“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

On this National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we can learn more, and reflect on the meaning of this day by attending an event, reading the Truth and Reconciliation report, speaking and listening to Elders, or taking a moment for quiet reflection. Reconciliation is a shared responsibility of all Canadians and requires continued action, not just today, but every day.

A link to the truth and reconciliation report: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf

For the story of Phyllis Webstad and why we have an Orange Shirt Day click here: 👉 https://www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html

A list of 10 books you should consider reading (this is no specific order):

1. My Decade at Old Sun, My Life of Hell By: Bear Chief

2. Victoria Callihoo: An Amazing Life By: Cora Taylor

3. #NotYourPrincess Voices of Native American Woman

4. Urban Tribes Native Americans in the City

5. Clearing the Planes By: James W. Daschuk

6. The inconvenient Indian By: Thomas King

7. Seven Fallen Feathers By: Tanya Talaga

8. A Really Good Brown Girl By: Marilyn Dumont

9. In this Together Fifty Stories of Truth and Reconciliation

10. Five Little Indians By: Michelle Good

Thank you for taking the time to reflect on this day, what it means to you, and how you intend to to do better for this land, the original nations of this land, and our responsibility to reconciliation.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 CARD Committee

Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-29 Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-29

WestJet Encore YYC Base Vice-President By-Election - Election Results

Dear Members,

The by-election for WestJet Encore YYC Base Vice-President has now ended. Below are the results:

Consolacion (Colleen) Tracey 42.9%
Adrian Dayrit 29.5%
Kris Beauchamp 27.7%

CONGRATULATIONS
Consolacion (Colleen) Tracey!

Chantal Weeks, along with the rest of the CUPE 4070 Executive team and CUPE National Reps. will be working with Colleen to ensure a smooth transition to her new position starting November 1, 2021.

I would like to thank all Members for participating in this by-election and a special thank you to all the nominees for stepping forward and taking interest in this position.

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

Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-29 Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-29

Recall Notice – (WR) WestJet Encore Members - November 2021

Dear Members,

The Union has been advised by the Company of recalls to active status for Members currently on furlough; effective November 1, 2021 for the YYZ base (YYC base recall list has been exhausted).

Recall will occur based on the Company Service Lists that are published by base – the same lists that were used to determine those who were placed on furlough, and will be completed senior to junior. These lists are available after log-in to the Member Portal at www.cupe4070.ca. Work towards the Master Seniority List (MSL) will be underway shortly; and once the MSL is in place the Company Service List(s) will be replaced by the MSL. The Union will communicate this with you in advance.

This recall will see:

- Approximately five (5) to ten (10) CCMs recalled in YYZ

This recall is being executed under Article 47-5.05 of the Collective Agreement (CA):

To determine if you are eligible for recall as of November 1, 2021:

1) Check the personal email account that you have most recently registered with the Company related to your inactive status.

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

As indicated, this recall is being executed under Article 47-5.05 of the CA and Members eligible for recall will have only 48 HOURS to accept a recall should they desire. The Company has advised the Union that recall notices will go out later today; Wednesday September 29, 2021.

Ability to decline recall:
As per the Collective Agreement: if you are senior enough to hold recall, and recall is offered to you; you may elect to decline the recall and await recall in the future should it occur. You may opt to decline any recall until such time as there are no other Members junior to you on your base’s Company Service List, at which time a decline to recall would be the end of your employment. You will be notified in the Notice of Recall, if this is the case.

The Union and the Company continue to work together cooperatively towards recalling Members that have been placed on furlough as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to see continued recall at WestJet Encore.

Please contact the Union should you have further questions via our contact link: www.cupe4070.ca/contact.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-25 Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-25

Swoop Members Ratify First Ever Collective Agreement

Dear WestJet and WestJet Encore Members,

We are excited to report that the Swoop (WO) Members of our Local have ratified their first Collective Agreement with their Employer today.

Please join in congratulating our brothers and sisters from WO in ratification of their very first, historic Collective Agreement.

This is a huge milestone for Swoop and for our Local following the successful ratification of the WestJet and WestJet Encore Collective Agreements.

Please click on this link to view the press release regarding the successful ratification for Swoop Members.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-22 Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-22

CUPE National - Safe Union Space Survey

Dear Members,

Please see below information on an important survey being conducted by CUPE National, also available here.

Earlier this year, CUPE’s National Executive Board created a National Safe Union Spaces Working Group to address serious concerns about gender-based violence and other forms of harassment and discrimination in our union.

The Working Group, advised by expert external consultants, has been reviewing CUPE’s existing tools and processes, identifying gaps where we need changes or additional resources to ensure safer union spaces.

As part of this important effort, the Working Group is launching a survey.

CUPE encourages all members to participate in this survey. The survey will help us identify actions we can take and policies we can adopt to make CUPE more welcoming for all members.

The survey closes September 28.

Participate in the survey now by clicking here

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-21 Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-21

CUPE Local 4070 - General Membership Meeting (GMM)

Dear Members,

We are pleased to announce the next General Membership Meeting (GMM) for CUPE Local 4070:

Friday November 5, 2021

Toronto, ON (YYZ)

13:00ET - 15:00ET

Location: TBD

Please note that while this meeting is being planned to occur live and in person for those able to attend - as always, access will also be available via dial-in access (including full Member voting rights). Details on the dial in access option will be provided closer to the GMM.

All Members In Good Standing (have signed a card and paid the $5 initiation fee) are eligible to participate. The meeting will be two (2) hours.

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-16 Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-16

Statement and Legal Opinion to CUPE 4070 Re: Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

Dear Members,

We know that the WestJet Group’s recent communication regarding mandatory vaccinations, in response to the impending mandate from the federal government, has raised many questions within the Membership.

Your elected CUPE Local 4070 Executive has been in near continuous contact; and have been in contact daily with our CUPE National legal counsel on the issue of our Employer’s mandated vaccination for all staff. The Local has received countless e-mails from Members both expressing sincere belief that this violates their individual rights; as well as Members communicating their fear of working with individuals who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

As your Union Executive, we understand that this is a deeply polarizing issue for the Membership. As the Union, our responsibility to our Members is to represent your rights within the scope of the employment relationship with your Employer. We understand what that means is not always clear to Members. Additionally, a great deal of information is being circulated interpersonally and via social media within our Membership, and beyond; including other labour unions within the WestJet Group. Many opinions being offered claim to offer free legal advice about your rights in the workplace; or alternatively offer sources which are highly questionable from a legal standpoint under Canadian law.

Your Union’s job is to protect all of our Members’ employment relationship with their Employer; irrespective of politically divisive circumstances.

In the interest of ensuring the Union is clear on what our legal scope is with respect to mandatory vaccination mandates and the law, we have asked our CUPE National legal counsel to review the communication(s) released by the WestJet Group last week, which explain the Employers’ vaccine requirements in detail. Your Union also asked our National legal counsel to write a formal legal opinion based on the facts therein. We are attaching CUPE 4070’s Counsel’s official legal opinion today for your reference.

A legal opinion is based on legal analysis of leading case law in Canada. In looking at the facts of this case, it’s mitigating factors and circumstances, as well as if there are any possible arguments against the Union’s position; and if so, what is an arbitrator likely to decide. These are the heavy questions that your Local 4070 Executive must decide upon, based on all evidence before us. Those questions and answers make up the core of a legal opinion, and are determined by looking at decisions made by arbitrators in the past, in hearings with similar facts, mitigating factors and circumstances.

CUPE National Legal Opinion and Vaccination Q&A Documents:

CUPE National Legal Opinion presented to CUPE Local 4070

CLICK HERE

CUPE National Question & Answers for the Airline Sector
(Airline Division of CUPE)

CLICK HERE

The Union encourages all Members who wish to learn more to read the attached legal opinion. Below, we will summarize the key points that can be taken from it.

WestJet’s policy contemplates discipline up to and including termination for those Members who wish to refrain from being vaccinated. While there may be questions around whether the Union could successfully challenge such a termination, we do not have any legal avenue to proactively prevent the employer from imposing such a policy. What this tells us is that the best, and in fact, the only guaranteed way to prevent loss of earnings, termination, or other negative consequences, is to be vaccinated if you can be.

Let us be clear: this is not a political position. As the Union, we cannot provide you direction while knowing that the consequences of that direction may result in discipline or termination for you. Doing so would be contrary to the Union’s obligation to represent you in your employment relationship. The Union cannot control the Government mandate or its legislation or policies. Similarly, we cannot challenge the existence of a vaccine policy where federal legislation requires that the employer has one.

2. It is legal for the employer to announce and implement such a policy. Whether a legal challenge to a termination as a result of refusal to vaccinate would be successful is unknown. This legal challenge would depend on a multitude of factors beyond the Union, the Company, the Government, or any individual’s control - it would have to be tested after the fact under the Canada Labour Code (CLC).

The legal opinion attached describes this in detail. If you are terminated as a result of not being vaccinated, the Union is likely to challenge the termination via a grievance. There is no guarantee of success however; or that the Union would refer grievance(s) to arbitration if new decisions under the CLC render the chances of success obsolete. Even if your grievance goes to arbitration, it is far from guaranteed that an arbitrator will uphold the grievance. It is highly uncertain how arbitrators will handle terminations arising from breaches of mandatory COVID vaccination policies. If your grievance is successful at arbitration and you are reinstated, you may still not receive back pay and you may not be allowed to attend work until you are vaccinated. This is the practical reality upon which we live, work and operate.

Of further note: this may not extend to any and all actions related to vaccine refusal. As an example: lying on your declaration or falsifying vaccine records, and being disciplined or terminated for this, are not the same as being terminated for not being vaccinated.

3. There may be grounds for accommodation as a result of protected grounds such as medical accommodation (some people cannot be vaccinated due to verifiable medical reasons), or religious grounds. That being said, a strong personal opposition to a vaccine, in the absence of falling within these protected grounds, will likely be found to not trigger the WestJet Group’s duty to accommodate. Please review the above linked documents from CUPE National for more details on such possibilities.

If you believe that you fall into one of the above groups, and would require accommodation as a result of objectively verifiable protected grounds, we urge you to reach out to the Union at the earliest opportunity. CUPE Local 4070 is committed to challenging disciplinary action issued by the WestJet Group, particularly as it concerns Members who require accommodation. If there is discipline base on legally protected grounds, the union will support you through the process, however we cannot guarantee any particular outcome.

Other notable points arising from the opinion are:

It is likely reasonable, in light of global pandemic circumstances, for the Employer to require Members to disclose their vaccination status.
The Employer can require that full vaccination be a condition of employment for new-hire employees.
COVID-19 is likely to be found to constitute compelling exceptional circumstances, and it is likely an Arbitrator would find that the Health and Safety benefits of mandating a vaccine to outweigh the invasiveness of that vaccine.

Your CUPE Local 4070 Executive is aware that this is a polarizing and complex issue. We encourage all our Members to read the document, and both of the attachments.

If you still have questions about your rights as it relates to the vaccine, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Union in a respectful and constructive format: cupe4070.ca/contact

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-15 Calvin Gautschi 2021-09-15

Education Scholarship Recipients

Dear Members,

The CUPE 4070 Education Committee in conjunction with all the executives are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Scholarships.

As you are aware, we announced that we were able to offer scholarships this year. The application deadline was set for August 30, 2021. We wish to thank everyone who applied. The decision was not an easy one, as there were many exceptional candidates and the competition was fierce.

The awards for each bargaining unit, Swoop, WestJet Encore, and WestJet, were democratically voted on by the two Committee Members who were not in the bargaining unit up for discussion. For example, your WestJet Education Committee Member did not vote for the WestJet award recipient. Each scholarship was awarded based on the application criteria that was communicated when the application process was open.

Without further ado…..

Please join us in Congratulating the recipients of the

2021 CUPE 4070 Scholarships,

our members, your colleagues and friends:

SWOOP

One (1) Available Scholarship

TEELAH BARLOW

WESTJET ENCORE

Two (2) Available Scholarships

In no specific order

BATOUL MAZLOUM

BEA PATRICIA VIOLETA

WESTJET

Three (3) Available Scholarships

In no specific order

MELISSA GEORGE

ADRIENNE WEBB

THI BICH NGOC NGO

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EDUCATION PLANS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

In Solidarity,

Your CUPE 4070 Education Committee