Mainline Bargaining Update #11 – Week 11/12 - YEG and YYC
Dear Members,
Your Mainline Bargaining Committee has concluded the 11th and 12th weeks of in-person negotiations with the Company in Edmonton and Calgary.
Much of the week in Edmonton brought renewed attention to Article 22 – Ad Hoc Assignments and Article 40 – Charter Operations and Special Purpose Flights. These articles have long contained ambiguities that have contributed to inconsistent levels of transparency and fairness for the membership, particularly around postings, selection criteria, and opportunities for meaningful Union consultation.
The current approach, where informal selection practices and ‘shoulder tapping’ have at times influenced opportunities for Cabin Personnel does not align well with the core principles of seniority. As discussions continue, there is a clear desire to significantly scale back, and where appropriate phase out, these longstanding practices in favour of a more structured, equitable, and transparent framework.
In addition, we are exploring ways to ensure that all in Article 22- Ad hoc opportunities come with appropriate additional compensation, either through set rates or by providing the Union the opportunity to negotiate such terms. This was identified as a priority by members through previous survey feedback that their time and contributions were not being appropriately compensated.
During our week in Calgary, the committee received a detailed presentation from a CUPE National pension expert as part of our due diligence ahead of continued bargaining. While the WestJet Savings Plan (WSP) remains a valued and preferred option among many of our members and we will fully advocate to retain access to it. The complexity we face is the current structure of the plan falls outside the scope of our collective agreement. This means the Company retains full control and could alter or discontinue the plan without requiring consultation or consent from the Union.
Considering this, and to ensure we are exploring every avenue to protect all elements of this including strengthen our members’ retirement security, the committee reviewed a range of options. The goal is not to replace the WSP, but to understand whether the features and benefits it provides can be captured more securely through other mechanisms under the collective agreement. This exploration also aligns with our obligations under the CIRB’s direction to reconcile RSP arrangements across both WestJet and Sunwing.
Our commitment is to present informed and practical solutions that reflect what matters most to our members stability, flexibility, and protection for their futures.
Reserve Survey
We have released the Reserve Learning Series for members to review. As stated before, this document isn’t intended to influence member responses to the upcoming survey; we’re looking ensure members have a baseline understanding of our reserve model, as well as variations that exist in the industry.
As a Bargaining Committee, knowing where our members stand on the concepts of variables we can bring to the table is extremely valuable.
Bargaining Committee Travel
Many members have asked why certain bargaining weeks are scheduled at bases outside of YYC.
The Bargaining Committee consists of individuals who live and/or are based in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto. As a result, most committee members are required to travel regardless of the bargaining location. This can lead to extended periods away from home with limited personal time.
The Employer’s team, however, is based entirely in Calgary, which allows them to maintain a more consistent routine when bargaining occurs there. Holding sessions in other bases helps balance the travel requirements and ensures that the impact of time away from home is shared more evenly on both sides throughout the process.
There has been shared effort to date to minimize these costs by bargaining at net-zero locations, such as Employer buildings and CUPE offices and using Standby travel where possible. This mindset preserves our financial resilience for the latter phase of the process when we expect the process to intensify strain on both sides.
Bargaining Progress
In recent weeks of in-person bargaining, we’ve continued to exchange proposals, but progress has slowed. The vast majority of articles now sit with the Company, and we are still waiting for responses on several articles.
This past week in Calgary, a good amount of the Executive’s time was redirected to address the fallout from the scheduling software failure. This is a situation that has only magnified the shortcomings of our current Collective Agreement.
We hear the frustration from our members loud and clear. Many of you have voiced your concerns that the existing language lacks the strength and clarity needed to truly protect Cabin Personnel.
Your Bargaining Committee shares those concerns. This week’s events have reinforced our resolve to close the gaps in the current agreement and to push for stronger, enforceable language that brings real accountability and security for our members. We are committed to building an agreement that reflects the realities of your work and delivers the protections and respect you deserve.
Article Tracker
The article tracker remains an important transparency tool and provides a clear indication of where progress has or has not occurred. While we cannot share the specific content of signed-off articles, making the tracker public allows members to monitor movement and understand where we are in the process.
To access the tracker: www.wjcomponent.ca/negotiation-tracker
Upcoming Bargaining Dates:
February 9th – 13th – Winnipeg, MB
February 23rd – 27th – Calgary, AB
Future bargaining dates have tentatively been agreed to for March and April, with specifics and locations being finalized. Once confirmed, these dates will be shared with the members.
Member engagement continues to play a critical role. Please continue to follow, like, and share social media posts, and stay updated through your email communications.
In Unity,
WestJet Bargaining Committee
Alia Hussain - President
Bryan Hansraj - WestJet Unit VP
Jean-Francois Laframboise - YVR/YEG Rep
Shane Campbell - YYC Rep
Justin Patterson - YYZ Rep
Cailey Millard - YWG/YUL Rep
Alex Grigoriev - Local Executive (Alternate)
Cameron Jones - Local Executive (Alternate)