Bargaining Update #1: First Day at the Table

Dear Members,

Your Bargaining Committee is pleased to report that our first day of bargaining with the Company was a strong success. We began by exchanging opening statements, including a powerful message delivered by our President, Alia Hussain.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE OPENING STATEMENT READ BY ALIA HUSSAIN

From the outset, we made it clear that change is essential and must come now, as our members — the employees of WestJet — are struggling and deserve meaningful improvements in this round of negotiations.

Both parties also agreed on several important protocol items, including a commitment to maintain respect and professionalism throughout the bargaining process. Work is underway to finalize additional dates in November, December, and January to keep negotiations moving forward.

To help keep members informed, we have launched our Negotiations Tracker, available at wjcomponent.ca/negotiation-tracker.

This resource will:

• Show which articles are in progress and which have been agreed to in principle.

• Be updated as often as possible (generally at the end of a bargaining week), though not always in real time during critical stages of bargaining.

• Reflect that any items agreed to in principle may still be adjusted by either the Union or the Company until the full agreement is complete.

• Be used as a means to understand the progress being made at the table.

On the first day, the following articles were tabled:

• By your Union Committee:

  • Article 1 (Preamble)

  • Article 5 (Discrimination and Harassment)

  • Article 13 (Union Communications)

• By the Company:

  • Article 51 (Printing of the Agreement)

  • Article 8 (Amendments to the Agreement)

  • Article 30 (Grievance Procedure)

It is standard practice that negotiations begin with non-monetary issues before moving on to monetary matters. This ensures that language can be agreed to on other articles prior to starting negotiations on bigger articles with financial aspects.

It is important to remember that the negotiated language in all articles carries importance as they all impact our working conditions.

We will continue to provide updates regularly, and it is important that members carefully read email communications to stay informed. Bargaining is a marathon, not a sprint. The continued support, and determination of the Membership will give the Bargaining Committee your collective strength at the Bargaining Table.

Together, we are moving forward with strength and determination to achieve the change our members deserve.

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)