Mainline Bargaining Update #9: Week 9 at the Table
Dear Members,
Your Mainline Bargaining Committee completed another full week of in-person negotiations with the Company, maintaining momentum as we continue to advance discussions across multiple articles.
Progress was made on several provisions. While some areas are moving forward constructively, others require further discussion to find a path forward. Throughout the week, the committee remained focused on protecting the value of our work, our time, and the flexibility that recognizes our contributions to the organization and supports work-life balance for the membership.
Articles Signed Off
We are pleased to report that the following articles were signed off this week:
Article 42 – Pay Schedule and Pay Discrepancies
Article 50 – Legal
The article tracker remains an important transparency tool. While specific language from signed-off articles cannot be shared, the tracker provides members with a clear view of progress and outstanding work.
You can access the tracker here: wjcomponent.ca/negotiation-tracker
Counter Proposals at the Table
This week, there were 12 articles in progress and your bargaining committee presented responses to the following articles:
Article 22 – Ad Hoc Assignments
Article 28 – Uniforms
Article 40 – Charter Operations and Special Purpose Flights
The Employer did not present any new articles or counter proposals during this bargaining week.
In January, the Union anticipates providing responses to Article 46 – Vacation as well as beginning talks about one of the most important functions of the Union which pertains to Job Security.
Operational Context Informing Bargaining
Last week the airline experienced significant irregular operations following a snowstorm that affected crews across the network. Bargaining pace was maintained, and the committee used this experience to engage with management and reinforce ongoing discussions at the table with real-time operational examples.
These conversations focused on:
extended call wait times when attempting to reach OCC,
operational stability and reliability,
and how the Company ensures crew members clearly understand when they are available and expected to be reachable.
These issues directly affect workload, fatigue, and day-to-day working conditions, and continue to frame the Union’s bargaining priorities.
Encore Bargaining Update
This week, the WestJet Encore Bargaining Committee was also on campus and has begun its own preparations for negotiations, as Encore serves notice to bargain in March 2026.
Looking Ahead
Your bargaining committee remains focused, prepared, and committed to securing an agreement that reflects the realities of the operation and the priorities of our cabin crew.
Member engagement continues to be paramount to the bargaining process. Please stay connected through official communications and social media updates.
The MESC committee will be running the upcoming “divorce parties” across all bases to mark the expiry of CA1. Registration details will be released shortly.
Dates by base are:
January 5: Edmonton & Montreal
January 6: Calgary & Winnipeg
January 7: Toronto & Vancouver
As this will be the last bargaining update for 2025, the committee wishes everyone a happy holiday season. Stay safe, and we look forward to providing the next update in 2026 when in person negotiations resume the week of January 12–16 in Calgary.
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)