Encore Bargaining Update # 6 - Day 1 at the Table
Dear Members,
Yesterday, your WestJet Encore Bargaining Committee met with the Company for the first day of bargaining. Opening statements were exchanged, including remarks from our President, Alia Hussain, outlining the bargaining priorities for this round of negotiations
CLICK HERE TO READ THE OPENING STATEMENT
From the outset, we have been unequivocal that meaningful change is not optional and cannot be delayed. WestJet Encore employees are facing real and ongoing challenges, and the current working conditions and compensation have never been sustainable. Our members deserve substantive and tangible improvements in this round of negotiations, and anything less fails to meet the urgency of their reality.
Both parties reviewed several important protocol items, including a commitment to maintain respect and professionalism throughout the bargaining process from both the Company and the Union. Work is underway to finalize additional bargaining dates in May and June to keep negotiations moving forward.
To help keep members informed, we have launched our Negotiations Tracker:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEGOTIATIONS TRACKER
This resource will:
Indicate which Articles are currently active and have negotiations in progress.
Indicate which Articles have been Agreed to in Principle.
Important note: Articles that have been Agreed to in Principle do not mean they are finalized. It means that the Union and the Company have reached agreement; however, the entire Collective Agreement will be brought together as one ‘package’. All changes agreed to will be presented to the membership at the end of bargaining for a ratification vote.
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.
Be used as a means to understand the progress being made at the table.
It is standard practice that negotiations begin with non-monetary issues before moving on to monetary matters. This ensures that language can be agreed 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. Your continued support and determination give the Bargaining Committee the collective strength to negotiate on your behalf.
Together, we are moving forward with strength and determination to achieve the change our members deserve.
In Unity,
WestJet Encore Bargaining Committee
Elected Representatives:
Natasha Selby - natasha.selby@wjcomponent.ca
Maria Gaw - maria.gaw@wjcomponent.ca
Executive:
Jennifer Kuhnert - jennifer.kuhnert@wjcomponent.ca
Alia Hussain - alia.hussain@wjcomponent.ca