Bargaining Update #47: Wage Increase Breakdown
Dear members,
We have completed the 6 townhall presentations. Well over 1000 members in total were able to attend from across our network, and the Bargaining Committee was pleased to share the how and the why behind the tentative agreement we're bringing to the members for ratification.
We're committed to preparing a response to the questions submitted through the online platform prior to voting opening for ratification of the tentative agreement.
One specific theme appeared at all townhalls and the committee would like to address all members in a timely fashion. This central concern centered around the across-the-board wage increases members will receive, and the differences between WestJet Cabin Personnel and those members who joined from Sunwing.
WestJet Mainline Cabin Personnel (excluding former Sunwing members)
Under the terms of the tentative agreement, WestJet Mainline Cabin Personnel will receive a 13% across all steps of the WestJet pay grid. This applies to all members regardless of how they reached their applicable pay step. Any former Encore or Swoop members who have flowed, or anyone integrated from Swoop are on existing WestJet pay steps and will see their respective pay steps increase by 13%.
As an example, if you currently are at step 3 ($32.68) of the WestJet pay grid, you move to the proposed WestJet pay grid at step 3 ($39.29).
Retroactive payments will be made to any Cabin Personnel who were active from January 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026 based on the number of credit hours worked in that time frame. Members who received a step increase between January 1 and September 30 of 2026 will see their retroactive pay reflect 13% of your applicable rates of pay during that time period.
WestJet Savings Plan contributions over the same time period will also receive a retroactive 13% payment issued. This will be issued as part of the retroactive payments and not deposited into your WestJet Savings Plan account.
Former Sunwing Cabin Crew (and former Cabin Safety Managers)
Under the terms of the tentative agreement, all former Sunwing members will also receive a 13% retroactive payment based on all credit hours worked from January 1 to September 30, 2026. This payment will be based on their current frozen wage at the time of the merger.
Any mapping to the WestJet pay grid, or choices made by those former Cabin Safety Managers who can chose to be mapped or not, will take place after the calculations being considered for retroactive payments.
A more fulsome communication will be released after the final townhall outlining our next steps. Also to come is a comprehensive response document to the questions submitted using the online forum, prior to the vote for ratification of the tentative agreement.
Ratification continues to be one of the most important decisions you will make during the collective bargaining process, and we want to ensure that you see the value in the gains we have achieved at the bargaining table. Your Bargaining Committee unanimously recommends and endorses this Tentative Agreement and urges all members to vote.
In unity,
Your WestJet Mainline Bargaining Committee