Bargaining Communications – What to Expect and How to Stay Engaged | Communication sur les négociations - Ce à quoi il faut s'attendre et comment

Written By Chris Amaddeo

Dear Members,

As we prepare for our upcoming round of bargaining for CA2, your Bargaining Committee is committed to clear, consistent, and transparent communication throughout the process. We know how important it is to keep you informed and involved.

Our Communications Strategy

We’ll be using a variety of platforms to keep you in the loop:

Email bulletins

  • Every time we meet - we will update you.

Social media updates

Townhalls

  • Upcoming dates and further information will be shared shortly

    • Please note that signing up will be required and will not be recorded to ensure a safe space to ask questions and have open and honest dialogue.  

Website (www.wjcomponent.ca)

  • A tab has been added to the Website to ensure all bargaining related information is housed there. Click this LINK to view the Bargaining Page of the Website

Member Surveys

Throughout the process we will consult with the membership on matters important to them.  As the bargaining process is fluid, please remain engaged as there will be surveys as the process unfolds.  Ensure you participate and have your voice heard. Use the Comment box(es) to include other issues or related feedback to ensure your voice is heard by the Committee.

Member Engagement & Strike Committee (MESC)

  • This committee will be briefed on key messaging directly from the Bargaining Committee and Local Executive Committee.  

  • They will also have swag (where/when available) and other engagement activities.  

To help you easily identify the stage we’re in, all our email communications will use the following colour-coded headers:

🟡 Yellow – Bargaining preparations and initiative Roll outs (survey, member education, pre-bargaining info)

🟢 Green – Notice to bargain has been issued – we’re officially at the table

🔴 Red – Critical updates requiring your attention (both challenges and key progress)

Bargaining Is About Strategy

One important note: bargaining isn’t just about demands—it’s about strategy. That means not every detail will be shared publicly in real time. Openly disclosing our entire strategy or specific proposals could be used against us by the Employer.  

WestJet and Onex are well-resourced, data-driven, and closely monitoring public spaces—including social media. Oversharing weakens our collective power.

We ask all members to keep sensitive discussions internal and trust your elected committee to represent your interests. When your voice is needed, you will be asked directly—through official surveys, town halls, and at times outreach led by MESC.

Understanding Bargaining Timelines

Bargaining timelines in federally regulated workplaces like ours are governed by the Canada Labour Code. By law, a union may only serve Notice to Bargain within 120 days of the expiry of a collective agreement.  

While our committee is fully committed to moving forward efficiently and in good faith, this process cannot be rushed. There are two parties at the table, and both must play their part. We will be showing up prepared and focused—with clear proposals and a well-developed mandate built on your feedback.

For context

Your Bargaining Committee was elected on May 28, 2025, and held our first meeting (4 days later) on June 2 and spent a week in Bargaining Training - just 212 days before our agreement expires on December 31, 2025.

Despite a delayed start due to the dissolution of the previous Locals 4070/4055, we are meeting every second week in person. On weeks when we are not meeting in person, we are tasked with research and review of various documents and contracts along with self-directed training and strategic planning.

The commitment is to ensure members do not spend more time than necessary under our current agreement; we are strategically focused and committed to progress.

For further context, Air Canada flight attendants issued notice to bargain over 213 days ago—and have spent over 100 of those days without a valid Contract as of today (July 11, 2025).

To learn more about these timelines, we encourage you to watch our “Bargaining Learning Series” video, on our YouTube channel or website.

Get Involved

The strength of our bargaining position is rooted in you.

Here’s how to get engaged:

Together, we wear the uniform—but the uniform doesn’t wear us.  

This is OUR TURN.

This is OUR VOICE.  

This is OUR CONTRACT.


In Unity,


WestJet Bargaining Committee
CUPE Local 8125 – WestJet Component

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)

Chris Amaddeo
Next

Bargaining Survey #1 Coming Soon! Your Voice. Your Priorities. Why This Survey Matters.