Mainline Bargaining Update #17 - Tentative Agreements and Negotiation Specifics
Dear Members,
As we move through negotiations, your Bargaining Committee wants to thank you for the strength, patience, and unity you continue to show. Our unity is not just important; it’s what gives us real power at the table.
The MESC Committee recently closed the first pulse survey, and we wanted to address common themes / questions that have been raised by the membership.
The theme of “Why don’t we know everything that’s happening?” and “Why hasn’t the Bargaining Committee shared exactly what is being negotiated or what has been agreed to?” Was raised consistently in the Pulse Survey.
These are fair questions. This is a common feeling and the reality of collective bargaining.
This process is like a game of chess and not a one-time conversation. Every move matters. Timing matters. What the other side knows about your strategy matters.
Even tentatively agreed‑to articles are not final. They’re fluid pieces of the negotiation that can shift as other parts of the contract evolve. A Tentative Agreement simply means both sides are aligned for now, based on the current state of the overall package.
As movement happens in wages, benefits, or other key areas, earlier Tentative Agreements may need to be revisited to keep the agreement balanced and protect our leverage. That flexibility is essential. It allows the Bargaining Committee to adjust language as negotiations change and to secure the strongest possible final deal.
Right now, the Employer is trying to figure us out:
What do we want most?
Where will we hold the line?
Where might we settle?
At the same time, our strength comes from them not knowing those answers clearly.
The moment they know exactly what we need most, or what we’d be willing to accept, they can start shaping their offers around that goal and make work us down from there. History has proven that is how groups end up settling for less than they should.
To be clear, when a Tentative Deal is reached, the Bargaining Committee will present everything that has been changed/negotiated to the Membership. After the newly negotiated language is presented, it will be sent to a referendum vote of the membership for ratification.
Another common rumour that is heard with a ratification vote is “Never vote yes to the first deal presented.” This sentiment is common in unionized groups, and we always encourage members to vote honestly. It is important to note that if the Bargaining Committee is bringing a deal forward for ratification, it is the best deal the Committee felt they could achieve at the table. Voting NO does not guarantee that more items will be negotiated at the table and could result in outstanding issues going to binding Arbitration.
When we hold certain details back during bargaining, it is not about keeping members out in the dark. It’s about not giving the Employer an advantage over us.
At the same time, your role in this is just as important. While the Committee continues to bargain based on your feedback and input from the surveys, your solidarity, engagement, and support are what creates pressure. That’s what moves the Employer, not just proposals on paper.
When they see a united group, they know they must take us seriously.
When they’re unsure how far we’ll go, it strengthens our position.
When we stay disciplined together, it increases what we can achieve.
That’s collective bargaining in action.
We will always share:
Where things stand (check out the tracker on our website - LINKED HERE)
When there are developments that need to be shared
When your input or action is needed
To close, this approach comes down to this:
Protecting our leverage so we can deliver stronger results. At the end of the day, this is not about keeping information quiet or gate keeping from the membership. It is about reaching an agreement worth voting for and the improvements gained from the bargaining process.
In Unity,
WestJet Bargaining Committee
Calgary: shane.campbell@wjcomponent.ca
Vancouver/Edmonton: jeanfrancois.laframboise@wjcomponent.ca
Winnipeg/Montreal: cailey.millard@wjcomponent.ca
Toronto: justin.patterson@wjcomponent.ca