Encore Bargaining Update #17

Dear Members,

This week marked another significant period for the aviation industry.  On September 14, 2026, Unifor Canada Local 531, representing our Airport Customer Service Agents, officially began collective bargaining.  At the same time, our WestJet Contact Centre Agents have voted in favour of union representation. Meanwhile, ALPA-represented Porter pilots and CUPE Local 5451 representing PAL Airlines flight attendants, filed Notices of Dispute and requested federal conciliation as part of their ongoing negotiations. In addition, CUPE Local 8111, representing Canadian North flight attendants, recently entered the conciliation process as negotiations with their employer continue.

The Encore Bargaining Committee is also pleased to share positive developments elsewhere in the industry.  Both CFAU Jazz Aviation flight attendants and CUPE Local 5490 Pascan flight attendants have reached tentative agreements, marking an important milestone in their respective bargaining processes.

We extend our solidarity and support to all aviation employee groups as they navigate these important discussions and negotiations.  We will continue to monitor developments closely and keep members informed as information becomes available.

This week, we welcomed Tanya Paterson – CUPE National Representative, back to our table as we worked through strategic planning and refined our approach to achieving the best possible outcome at the bargaining table.

At the table this week, we presented three additional articles as initial proposals:

• Article 37 – Hotels and Transportation

• Article 38 – Commuting

• Article 39 – Training

This week, we reached an Agreement in Principle on one additional article, bringing our current total to 28. This article is:

• Article 36 – Deadheading

Currently, 15 articles are under negotiation. Of these, 14 have been presented to the Employer and are awaiting responses, while 1 remains with your Union.  Your Bargaining Committee continues to put forward meaningful proposals, and counterproposals as negotiations advance.  

As bargaining moves forward, your support remains essential to the work being done at the bargaining table.  You can continue to show your support by:

• Signing your membership card if you have not already done so.

• Staying informed through bargaining updates and union communications.

• Following the tracker for live updates and status information: https://wjcomponent.ca/encore-negotiation-tracker

• Participating in the Member Education Series.

• Asking questions and seeking clarification when needed.

• Sharing factual information and helping to combat misinformation.

• Supporting and encouraging your fellow members.

• Remaining engaged and united throughout the bargaining process.

• Members are also encouraged to follow, like, and share our Facebook and Instagram content.

We ARE Encore

WestJet Encore Bargaining Committee

Alia Hussain - alia.hussain@wjcomponent.ca
Jennifer Kuhnert - jennifer.kuhnert@wjcomponent.ca
Natasha Selby - natasha.selby@wjcomponent.ca
Maria Gaw - maria.gaw@wjcomponent.ca