CUPE 4070 Response to the WestJet Group’s Communication Regarding Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination

Dear Members,


In the past hour the WestJet Group of Companies released an internal communication to all employees, in every department across the organization. This communication outlines a framework of how they intend to implement the federal government’s announcement from August 13th that requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees working in federally regulated sectors. This includes every employee of national air, marine, and rail transportation companies. This notice is not isolated to crew or frontline workers; every worker employed in federally regulated sectors must be fully vaccinated.

CUPE Local 4070 has been anticipating information on this topic from the Company for some time. The Union has been in ongoing discussions with the Company around mandatory vaccinations. We have been advocating that any direction on vaccines be in the form of an official company policy - not just a directive in the form of a communication by a Company Executive. There is legal rationale why the Union believes that any change in conditions of employment must take the form of official policy or policies.

The Union’s stance is that full details and specifics of what is being mandated by the federal government is largely unknown, and as a result, we are of the position that today’s announcement by the Employer is premature. Despite that, the Union now has official guidance from the Employer via today's communication as to their intended approach on this issue. We are receiving continuous guidance from CUPE National legal counsel as to the best approach forward.

While we cannot provide immediate guidance to you today on this matter; please know that your Union is actively working with CUPE National including in-house legal counsel, with CUPE National Health & Safety officers, with the CUPE Airline Division and its Council of Presidents (ADCP), and with our union allies at ALPA, CALDA and Unifor which represent other unionized colleagues within the WestJet Group.

CUPE Local 4070 remains steadfast in our commitment to representing every one of our Members as we continue to navigate through the pandemic and beyond.

Please note that respective Base Vice-Presidents are part of Local 4070’s Executive response planning; as are the respective union OH&S Committees. They do not have any additional information at this time. Further details will be shared by the Union as they become available.

We hope that you find this update helpful. CUPE 4070 contact information can always be found at: www.cupe4070.ca/contact



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

WestJet New Master Seniority List (MSL) Release

Dear Members,


The company has released the new WestJet Master Seniority List (MSL). It will also be available on our Member Portal.

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

The MSL is attached and can be accessed by clicking HERE.

As per the Collective Agreement Article 15-2, there will be no further disputes until the next MSL publication dispute period in April 2022.

Implementation Timelines

The following dates have been agreed upon between the Union and the Company for when the MSL will be utilized:

Layoff and recall
In the event we announce any future recalls or layoffs, the finalized MSL will be utilized.

Crew Scheduling Day of Operations – Effective September 22, 2021
On this date, the new MSL will be loaded into the day of tracking system (Sabre Crew Trac). All operational reassignments and reserve call outs that consider Cabin Personnel’s seniority will be determined using the new MSL.

This update is anticipated to occur between 0000-0200. Those on RAM may still be called out utilizing the Inflight Department List until the update is complete.

Crew Planning – Effective November 1, 2021
Construction of the November schedules will commence in late September and will utilize the updated MSL that will be loaded on September 22.

As a reminder, November 2021 schedules will be constructed and published in late October utilizing the current equity-based system.



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

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

Dear Members,

The Union has been advised by the Company of recalls to active status for Members currently on furlough; effective October 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 begin 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 ten (10) to fifteen (15) 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 October 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; Tuesday September 7, 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

Swoop Bargaining Update #6

Dear Members,


Since the last Bargaining update; Collective Bargaining took place from August 23 - 26, 2021 between the Union and the Company. As we indicated previously, the only items remaining under negotiation are: job scope language, and the final comprehensive financial package.

To provide Membership with perspective in terms of where we are at in the Collective Bargaining process:

Swoop (WO)
Overall Bargaining Progress (by Articles completed in TA)
*Accurate as of September 2, 2021

Your Swoop Bargaining Committee spent all of last week bargaining for the comprehensive monetary and financial package, as well as Scope language that will form part of the final TA. We can report that while the financial package was passed multiple times between the Company and the Union; on one return of the proposed package by the Company, the Committee took particular efforts to verbally call out to the Company how disappointing their counter-offer was to the Union. This rebuke was lead by Local Vice-President Jamie Loiselle, and appeared to take the Employer off guard. In our subsequent return pass of the financial package, the Union made it clear what we expect from the Company in order to secure a Tentative Agreement for the Swoop bargaining unit. It was absolutely necessary to outline what reasonable expectations the Union has in this regard.

While these final two (2) Articles are significant; and are clearly not without challenge to negotiate - we continue to believe that with each day of negotiations, we inch closer to reaching a Tentative Agreement to present to you, the Swoop Membership, for ratification vote.

The next round of Bargaining for the Swoop Collective Agreement is scheduled for next week September 7 - 9, 2021. We will again update you following these negotiations.

Further Bargaining dates in September, should they be necessary, are:

September 7 - 9, 2021

September 21 - 23, 2021

As always, if you have questions or require assistance from your union, please reach out to us at: www.cupe4070.ca/contact. 

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Swoop Bargaining Committee

An Update from Local 4070 Secretary-Treasurer Kruti Sutaria

Dear Members,


The Union would like to advise of a financial incident involving fraud that occurred in respect to the Local’s primary chequing account during the month of August 2021.

On Thursday August 26th, as your Secretary-Treasurer I noticed unusual activity in one of the Local’s bank accounts. Specifically, four (4) cheques that had cleared our account in amounts of over $4,500 each. The cheque numbers of these withdrawals were suspicious in nature as these cheque numbers had previously been used and cashed in 2019. The dates of these withdrawals were August 11th and 20th.

Additionally, no physical cheques have been used by the Local in over a year thanks to a payment processing software that provides the use of electronic fund transfers; this has minimized the need for paper cheques. 

Upon discovery of what I was confident was fraud, I immediately proceeded to the nearest bank branch where an official investigation was opened. Legal affidavits were signed by myself and Chris Rauenbusch, CUPE 4070 President; and I transferred remaining funds into our savings account to prevent further cheques from clearing. A police report has also been filed with the Calgary Police Service, which is the procedure for theft over $5000 in Canada.

On Tuesday August 31st, the Bank Manager that had helped initiate the investigation contacted me to advise that the four (4) cheques in question were indeed deemed counterfeit by the Bank’s internal fraud investigation department; and that the funds totaling over $18,000 were going to be returned to CUPE Local 4070 that same day. A new account has now been opened to avoid our Members’ funds being held in an account which has been breached; and the original account will be closed in short order once the preauthorized payments are transferred. The deposit was received into the new account on Tuesday August 31st.

I am confident about which cheque was copied; and based on an internal Union investigation, I strongly believe that the cheque in question was sent to a vendor (payee) in September 2019. It appears this cheque was then altered with two of the signing officers’ signatures electronically copied onto the cloned cheques. The Union is awaiting further details from the vendor at which I believe this occurred; for additional information following their own investigation, as well as for the results of the Calgary Police Service investigation upon its conclusion.

As always, my priority and core responsibilities as your elected Secretary-Treasurer are to ensure that the dues - that you, our Members contribute to our Local - are safely and responsibly handled, and that you have trust in the financial accountability of your Union Local at all times. I remain steadfast and unwavered in this responsibility and continue to be honoured to hold your trust in this regard.

A further update on this incident regarding the Police investigation as well as further details will be provided to the Membership at the next General Membership Meeting (GMM), which will be announced soon, that will occur in November.

In Solidarity,
Kruti Sutaria
Secretary-Treasurer - CUPE Local 4070

Reminder: WS October 2021 Recall - Closing in 48 Hours & September Workforce Update Correction

Dear Members,


This is a reminder from your Union that the WestJet (WS) Recall response window for the October 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:

September Workforce Update Correction:
The Union has confirmed that the most junior DOH date for YYZ of July 3 2017, originally provided to us by the employer, was incorrect. The most junior member offered recall for September in YYZ was, in fact, DOH May 11 2009.

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

A Message From Chantal Weeks - WR YYC Base Vice-President

Dear Members,


I am writing to inform you that I will be stepping down as WestJet Encore YYC Base Vice-President as soon as the local is able to hold a by-election.

After careful consideration and discussion with my family and closest friends, I have decided to step away from the Local Executive to focus on my personal life. This decision was not easy and these last 3 years have been some of the most rewarding and challenging of my life. From joining the organizing committee, to becoming a Steward, then joining the Bargaining Committee, and then serving as your Base VP, I have learned and grown immensely. I thank you all for believing in me to represent you. 

I will be leaving the Base Vice-President position, but not the local entirely, and have offered my services and will remain onboard as a Shop Steward in YYC. I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done in ratifying our first agreement at CUPE and know that what I’ve come here to do has been achieved. I can think of no better time for someone with fresh eyes and a fresh mind to take over and continue building on the great foundation I’ve had the privilege to help create.

The Local will be announcing a by-election when we are able, and I encourage any Member in good standing (and for this position, YYC based) to consider throwing your name in to run for the YYC Base VP position. This is an essential role that needs to be filled and YYC WestJet Encore Members deserve strong support and representation on the Executive. This is a great opportunity to take on new challenges and a leadership role. If any of you have questions or are interested in the role and would like to know more, please feel free to reach out to me any time at chantal.weeks@cupe4070.ca.

I can say with full confidence that it has been an honour to hold this position and to represent CUPE Members every day. I will continue to be active and involved, and look forward to returning to flying full time and see you on the line supporting Members standing up for themselves and fighting for a better future for all of us. 

In Solidarity, 

Chantal Weeks - WR YYC Base Vice-President 

Education Committee Scholarship Reminder

Dear Members,

The deadline for scholarship application is August 30,2021. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY! 

To apply you must: 

• Be a Member in Good Standing. 

• Enrolled/accepted to the 2021-2022 academic year. 

• Studying in Canada in a public or private institution. 

• Submit a completed application and submit proof of enrolment/acceptance to education@cupe4070.ca 

Thank you to those who have already submitted applications. We will review applications once the deadline has passed. Awards will be decided by September 10, 2021 and successful applicants will be contacted via phone or e-mail by September 15, 2021. 

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Education Committee

Recall Notice - WestJet (WS) Members - October 2021

Dear Members,


The Company has advised the Union of recall for WestJet (WS) Members during the month of October 2021:

• WS recall to all three (3) bases (YYZ / YYC / YVR)

• Notices of recall and contingent notices of recall will be released by the Company later today, Friday August 27, 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 to their base on a specific date during October 2021 to facilitate required training. The exact recall date will be base specific and will be indicated on your recall or contingent recall notice from the Company.

 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 October will be assigned based on what is available.

Company Seniority List vs. Master Seniority List:

This recall will use the Company Date-of-Hire List. The work to conclude the disputes submitted for the MSL is almost complete. The final MSL will be released soon. At that time the Union will advise the Membership of the final date of effect of the MSL 

Please reach out to the Union at www.cupe4070.ca/contact should you have further questions.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

CUPE 4070 Statement on Federal Mandatory Vaccine Requirement

Dear Members,


As you have most likely heard, Canada’s federal government recently announced that all federally regulated workers in Canada (which includes all Canadian air carriers and our Membership) will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is set to take effect on October 30, 2021.

Since this announcement, the CUPE 4070 Executive leadership has been in contact with Transport Canada, CUPE National as well as in joint consultation with the Airline Division Council of Presidents (ADCP) from the 9 other airlines in Canada represented by CUPE; in order to gather all necessary information related to this policy announcement from the federal government.

In order to be compliant with this federal requirement, the Employer will need to develop policies related to vaccination. At this time the Union has not yet been contacted by the Employer in relation to such policies. Please be assured that prior to the release of any related policy, your Union will be involved and will include CUPE National Legal in all discussions to ensure our Members’ interests are represented.

We will communicate further with the Membership when more details are known, and we have specific information to share.

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



In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Workforce Update (WS) - September 2021

Dear Members,


Below is the summary of recalls that are occurring at WestJet (WS) in September 2021 that have now been awarded.

 WestJet (WS) Recall - September 2021:

***CORRECTION***
It was stated in the Union’s WestJet (WS) Recall Notice released on 10-AUG-2021 that Members being recalled will bid for and hold a full block award for the October 2021 block month onward.

This was an error and the Union apologizes for the incorrect information.

Any Member recalled in September 2021 will be able to bid for their block month as of November 2021 onward.

***CORRECTION***

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

CUPE 4070 Statement on WestJet’s Request for Immediate Assistance at YYC

We urge every Member of CUPE Local 4070 to refrain from volunteering for wheelchair assistance duty.

Dear Members,


Yesterday, Colleen Tynan - Vice-President, Airports at WestJet released an appeal to employees, including CUPE Local 4070 Members to “sign up to help guests requiring wheelchair assistance in YYC…”

While the Union is aware of the operational struggles currently facing all three of the airlines that we represent; we do not believe that free labour through volunteerism, nor our Members completing work that should rightly be performed by another unionized labour group within our Company, is an appropriate solution.

Unifor was recently certified by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) as the sole legal representation and bargaining agent of WestJet’s ground agents at both YVR and YYC. Asking our Members who are similarly unionized to step in and do their work for free is something that any trade union will always stand up and say no to.

Options open to the Company include rehiring GSAs and ground personnel that were permanently laid off at the Company’s discretion during the pandemic. This would create meaningful union jobs, and contribute towards creating employment in our sector. Instead - the Company is imploring you to provide free, volunteer and zero-cost labour. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Additionally, your Health & Safety Committee would like to remind every member that pushing wheelchairs is NOT a part of our Members’ job scope. As a result no risk/job assessment or training related to these duties has been conducted, and there is a significant chance of injury from improper pushing or pulling to our Membership.

We urge every Member of CUPE Local 4070 to refrain from volunteering as requested.

We must stand strong with our union brothers and sisters from WestJet recently unionized with Unifor at the Calgary International Airport.

#INSOLIDARITY

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Swoop Bargaining Update #5

Dear Members,


Since the last Bargaining update; Collective Bargaining took place from June 28 - 30 and August 9 - 12, 2021 between the Union and the Company. The Swoop Bargaining Committee is pleased to report that we have now signed off in Tentative Agreement (TA) on forty-two (42) of the planned forty-four (44) Articles.

We have signed off in TA on three (3) more Articles, leaving only the comprehensive monetary package and Scope to be agreed to before negotiations are complete.

The three (3) articles that are most recently signed in Tentative Agreement are:

• Accommodation

• Aircraft and Company Assigned Equipment

• Benefits

To provide Membership with perspective in terms of where we are at in the Collective Bargaining process:

Swoop (WO)
Overall Bargaining Progress (by Articles completed in TA)

*Accurate as of August 20, 2021

Your Swoop Bargaining Committee spent last week bargaining for the comprehensive monetary and financial package, as well as Scope language that will form part of the final TA. Scope language defines our Members’ job scope, and clearly indicates what is expected of a Flight Attendant in the course of their daily duties.

We are pleased to inform you that we believe we are beginning to approach the conclusion of the collective bargaining process. While these final two (2) Articles are significant; and will not be without challenge to negotiate - we do believe that we are on track to likely reach a full Tentative Agreement (TA) to present to the Membership prior to the end of 2021.

The next round of Bargaining for the Swoop Collective Agreement is scheduled for August 23 - 26, 2021. We will update you again following these negotiations.

Bargaining dates are secured into September and are:

August 23 - 26, 2021

September 7 - 9, 2021

September 21 - 23, 2021

As always, if you have questions or require assistance from your union please reach out to us at: www.cupe4070.ca/contact. 

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Swoop Bargaining Committee

Reminder: WS September 2021 Recall - Closing in 48 Hours

Dear Members,


This is a reminder from your Union that the WestJet (WS) Recall response window for the September 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

WestJet Encore Tentative Agreement Ratification Results

Dear Members,


The voting period in the WestJet Encore (WR) Tentative Agreement ratification process concluded today August 14, 2021 at 15:00MT / 17:00ET.

The results are as follows:

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

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

Yes / Oui: 240 (86.6%)

No / Non: 37 (13.4%)

The Tentative Agreement is RATIFIED.

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

This Collective Agreement is effective retroactively to August 1, 2021 and remains in full force and effect until July 31, 2026 at 23:59MT.

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

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

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

• all Stewards across our entire network.

• all mobilizers

• our five CUPE National representatives.

The work towards full implementation of the changes across every aspect of our employment experience will begin immediately. Certain items will be effective as of date of ratification - today. Others will commence as per the timelines indicated in Letter of Understanding (LOU) No. 3 as was released to the Membership as part of the TA package that was voted on.

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

We are extremely proud of the engagement and questions that the Membership sent our way over the past weeks. It remains our privilege to represent you. Congratulations on this historic moment for all WestJet Encore Members!

 


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

Education Committee Scholarship

Dear Members,


Your CUPE 4070 Education Committee is pleased to inform you that we have posted the Application Form for Scholarships: 

WestJet 

3 Scholarships in the sum of $500.00  

WestJet Encore 

2 Scholarships in the sum of $500.00 

Swoop 

1 Scholarship in the total of $500.00 

To apply you must: 

• Be a Member in Good Standing. 

• Enrolled/accepted to the 2021-2022 academic year. 

• Studying in Canada in a public or private institution. 

• Submit a completed application and submit proof of enrolment/acceptance to: education@cupe4070.ca 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!  

The deadline to apply is August 30, 2021. Awards will be decided by September 10, 2021 and successful applicants will be contacted via phone or e-mail by September 15, 2021.



In Solidarity, 

Your CUPE 4070 Education Committee 

Swoop Update

Dear Members,


Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team had a meeting with our National CUPE reps to discuss concerns brought forward regarding base bidding and related topics. Many of the queries brought forward are items addressed within the Collective Agreement negotiations. Due to the confidentiality of the Collective Bargaining process, CUPE is unable to discuss these items at this time. To further explain, the Bargaining Committee is working tirelessly to  bargain your Collective Agreement to provide a point of reference to protect the Flight Attendants within the Swoop bargaining unit, along with their rights, and clear and concise working rules, regulations, and expectations on behalf of the Flight Attendants and the Company. While this legal document is being drafted, it cannot be shared outside of Collective Bargaining until such time as a Tentative Agreement is ready to present to the Membership for ratification. For this reason, nobody within the Union or the Company outside of that bargaining body is aware of the details of negotiations other than the subject/topics that are scheduled to be discussed. Items such as base bidding, bidding packages and policy relating to this have been discussed in negotiations already, and details will not be released until a complete draft of the Collective Agreement is finalized. Once this is complete, it will then be distributed to the Swoop Membership for ratification.

The main item brought forward was regarding the co-base between Hamilton and Toronto and what exactly a co-base is. This concern will be brought to the Company in the coming days for clarification on their definition of a ‘co-base’ and subsequently what it will mean for us as Flight Attendants in the YHM/YYZ base. Once we have a clear and concise response from the Company regarding this definition, CUPE will then have a better understanding of the Company’s intentions and can proceed accordingly to advocate for our Members.

There were also concerns brought forward regarding base bidding, bid packages, and other bidding-related items are part of Bargaining and currently in negotiations. Stipends, training, and any other matters that relate to pay are also being addressed in bargaining and thus cannot be shared until a draft of the Collective Agreement is complete. 

CUPE recognizes these are not suitable ‘answers’ for our Swoop Flight Attendants. However, at this time we are approaching the end of a very long process, and when negotiations are complete, many of these questions will be provided with clear answers. For now, we ask for your continued patience to allow the process to take the time it requires for CUPE, your Executive Team, and your Bargaining Committee to advocate for your rights and carry out their purpose. This is a historical time for WestJet, WestJet Encore, and Swoop; we have seen two out of three bargaining units with drafted agreements-- our turn is coming very soon!

As your Swoop elected CUPE Vice-President, I am proud to be part of the CUPE4070 team that has brought us to our very own Collective Agreement. The time it takes to get where we need to be will be well worth the wait. I ask that you continue to trust the process-- good things are on their way to us in the very near future. 

Upcoming bargaining dates for Swoop are: 

August 10 - 12, 2021 

August 23 - 26, 2021 

September 7 - 9, 2021 

September 21 - 23, 2021 

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Swoop Base VP & Executive Team

Recall Notice - WestJet (WS) Members - September 2021

Dear Members,

The Company has advised the Union of recall for WestJet (WS) Members during the month of September 2021:

● WS recall to all three (3) bases (YYZ / YYC / YVR)
● Notices of recall and contingent notices of recall will be released by the Company later today, Tuesday August 10, 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 to their base on a specific date during September 2021 to facilitate required training. The exact recall date will be base specific and will be indicated on your recall or contingent recall notice from the Company.
● Members being recalled will bid for and hold a full block award for the October 2021 block month onward.

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 September 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 as the dispute period for the Master Seniority List (MSL) is still open. Upon conclusion working through all disputes submitted, the Union and Employer will advise the Membership of the final date of effect of the MSL.

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

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

Dear Members,


The Union has been advised by the Company of recalls to active status for Members currently on furlough effective September 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.

This recall will see:

-  Approximately eight (8) CCMs recalled in YYZ
In the Memorandum of Agreement agreed to between the Union and the Company, there exist two (2) options for the time-frame of recall and acceptance by the Member. The Company will be executing the ‘Expedited Recall‘ Option 1 as outlined in the MOA (Articles 7 & 8) as the method of recall.

To determine if you are eligible for recall as of September 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.

3)   The Company will provide official recall notice, or contingent recall notice which will be marked in part ‘SHORT NOTICE RECALL’ to that email address.

As indicated, this recall is initially being executed under the ‘Expedited Recall’ 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.

Ability to decline recall:
As per the MOU executed between WestJet Encore and CUPE Local 4070, 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.

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

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team

Recall Notice – Swoop (WO) Members - August & September 2021

Dear Members,

The Union has been advised by the Company of two (2) rounds of further ‘recalls’ to active status for Swoop Members who are currently on furlough.

Recall A by base - Effective August 27, 2021:

YHM/YYZ: 8

YEG: 12

Recall B by base - Effective September 17, 2021:

YHM/YYZ: 31

YEG: 8

Swoop will be sending the recall notices for Recall A by end of day today, Monday August 9, 2021. Recall notices for Recall B will be sent out by end of day on Friday August 20, 2021. Recall will occur based on the Company Service Lists that are published – the same lists that were used to determine those who were placed on inactive status and will be completed in order of the Company Service Lists.

In the Memorandum of Agreement agreed to between the Union and the Company, there exists two (2) options for the time-frame of recall and acceptance by the Member. The Company will execute “Option 1 - Expedited Recall". Members receiving a Notice of Recall will have forty-eight (48) hours to respond either to accept or decline this recall.

Following this window, should any necessary mandatory recall notices be needed, they will be sent from the bottom of the base list up on the evening of Wednesday August 11, 2021.

To determine if you are eligible for this recall:

• Check the most recent personal email account that you have registered with the Company.

• Ensure to check your ‘spam/junk’ folder as well, just in case.

Ability to decline recall:
As per the MOU executed between Swoop and CUPE Local 4070, if recall is offered to you, you may elect to decline a 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 below you on your base’s Company Service List, at which time a decline to recall would be the end of your employment.

Following these recalls, there will be a total of 201 active status Members at Swoop, with 76 in YEG and 125 in YHM/YYZ.

Should you have any questions for the Union, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Union via our contact form: www.cupe4070.ca/contact.

In Solidarity,
Your CUPE 4070 Executive Team