Westjet Pilots Begin Union Vote — What's At Stake?

[airt]

Yes , I have sat on both sides also and am intimately aware of how things work. I don't believe those who are pushing for this have any idea what they are in for. The risk/reward is off the scale IMO.

I have never worked for a company that does more for their employee's than WestJet and I really have to wonder whether that will continue if the union drive passes.

[manwest]

Is this action driving the stock price down????

[Guest]

But the pilots do have some leverage when it comes to bargaining, I doubt they would be legislated to work and I doubt Encore could take up the slack to replace them but WestJet is nicely placed to be able to use Encore in the event of any disruption in service. ....

You forgot that little pot-stirring emoticon

[vanishing point]

Why wouldn't they be legislated to work?

Why should they be any different than other unionized airline in this country?

[Guest]

You forgot that little pot-stirring emoticon

Truth is not pot stirring.

[Guest]

Why wouldn't they be legislated to work?

Why should they be any different than other unionized airline in this country?

Less of an impact overall on the travelling public.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/trans01a-eng.htm

[Critter]

Same could be said about CP rail earlier this year. But BTW legislation was tabled none the less.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1832994/cp-rail-strike-ends-as-company-employees-agree-to-resume-discussions/

[vanishing point]

Less of an impact overall on the travelling public.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/trans01a-eng.htm

Less impact on the travelling public or....Members of Parliament?

None of us could have predicted what happened when we at Jazz voted in favour of a strike. A precident was set by the Feds so for them not to step in should WestJet decide to walk would be quite a double-standard.

I don't wish any such action on the employees at WJ so we'll see what direction they decide to go in.

[Zan Vetter]

I don't see why the two parties couldn't continue to work together on issues, honestly. Corporations all have legal departments and utilize any and all avenues available under law to protect and advance their interests. Unionization is a tool for employees, no reason they shouldn't do the same. The employer, unionized shop or not, still holds serve and will never lose it. All the employees can do, unionized or not, is return volley. Why play without a racket?

[Critter]

One could have the same racket as Federer and it wouldn't guarantee a win. It's always the person wielding the racket that yields results. Not the representative model.

Ultimately it will be up to the pilots to decide (minus encore). The ability to run to the CIRB is no guarantee of better relations. But it will create a shift in the way relations are conducted.

[Zan Vetter]

True, but the corporations aren't forsaking any tools that are available. Best people AND best tools. They don't have to be mutually exclusive, but that is definitely the argument that seems most prevalent against organizing whenever the topic comes up. "There's no guarantee." Is there ever? Give your best people, who may already be in place, another tool. Unionization is too often discussed through a socialist lens, whereas it may be better viewed as the incorporation of the employee group? I don't see large companies rushing to de-incorporate (sic) just to save the cost of employing a legal department.

[Critter]

I guess it all depends on where you see the advantage lying.

Do you want to be nimble and flexable with all the committees and procedures that the union claims is in their sole posession? Or do you want to place your careeers and WAWCON in the hands of a quasi judicial tribunal that has clearly demonstrated that they're not on the side of labour when it comes to the big ticket items like contract arbitration?

That's not a tool we need right now. The incumbent association is evolving without that tool.

[Guest]

Same could be said about CP rail earlier this year. But BTW legislation was tabled none the less.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1832994/cp-rail-strike-ends-as-company-employees-agree-to-resume-discussions/

But CP RAIL IS NOT IN THE PASSENGER BUSINESS..... Being out would have severely hampered the movement of goods and commodities across Canada.

[Critter]

Fair enough.

But in recent history federally regulated transport companies CP, CN and AC have all had BTW legislation tabled. It would surprise me immensely if WJ didn't receive the same treatment.

Hopefully I never have to make that bet.

[Guest]

With any luck all will go on without any problems but now that the cow has gotten out of the barn, things will unfortunately never be the same.

[conehead]

But CP RAIL IS NOT IN THE PASSENGER BUSINESS..... Being out would have severely hampered the movement of goods and commodities across Canada.

Namely oil.

[Guest]

Namely oil.

At the time, the major concern was any interruption in the movement of grain. If you go to this site, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/trad48a-eng.htm you will see that petroleum products come in at 7th in the list of items moved.

[J.O.]

Why would the oil industry care? Any threat to the supply chain means higher prices and bigger profits.

[John S.]

At the time, the major concern was any interruption in the movement of grain. If you go to this site, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/trad48a-eng.htm you will see that petroleum products come in at 7th in the list of items moved.

Looks to me like #3 on that list.

I'm looking at the 2014 column.

[Guest]

Looks to me like #3 on that list.

I'm looking at the 2014 column.

By metric ton you are correct but by importance to Canada's economy as a whole....it is still trumped by Agriculture and others according to

http://www.businessreviewcanada.ca/leadership/336/Top-Five-Industries-Thriving-In-Canada

Check the GDP contribution of our top 5 industries.

The Great White North has its fair share of successful industries that continue to prosper year after year even in the worst economic climates. Although the Canadian market isn’t as large or diverse as some of the other markets in the world, it’s every bit as stable if not more so.

With that in mind, here’s a list of the top five industries prospering in Canada.

1. Agriculture

When it comes to wheat and grains, Canada has it covered.

In fact, Canada is one of the largest suppliers of agricultural products in the world. Due to its strategic location Canada exports most of its crops to its big brother of the south, America.

As part of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Canada practices fair-trading by ensuring whatever it puts on the market agriculturally doesn’t influence the price of crops in other countries. Canada’s agricultural sector is steadily growing every year and accounts for 8% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

2. Energy

Due to its abundance of oil and natural gas, Canada has quickly become a world leader in energy resources.

Canada not only has the third largest oil reserve in the world, it’s also a world leader in hydroelectric power with Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan all using vast amounts of hydroelectric energy.

Because of the abundant energy resources available, Canada’s oil exporting and other energy related products make up for 2.9% of the country’s GDP. Additionally, Canada has adopted solar and wind energy production as the next major industry in the energy sector ensuring continued prosperity.

3. Technology

Although it’s for the most part undervalued, Canada’s technology industry is one of the strongest in the world. And, thanks to the Canadian Startup Visa, which is a government Visa aimed at bringing in new tech companies from all over the world, Canada will continue to change the world’s technology landscape.

The government Visa will undoubtedly bring the brightest minds to Maple Leaf Country and give places like Silicon Valley and India a run for their technology. Canada’s technology industry is currently prospering the most in areas such as digital media, wireless infrastructure, Ecommerce, and general Internet services.

4. Services

Accounting for a whopping 80% of Canada’s GDP and employing almost three quarters of the entire country is Canada’s service sector. And, within the sector itself, industries like retail, business, education, and health make up the largest portions.

Although the strength of the Canadian dollar has hurt tourism numbers, Canada still has a strong tourism industry with most of it’s international travelers hailing from the United States. In fact, Canada’s retail sector, which directly relates to tourism, accounts for 12% of the GDP and that percentage is steadily growing.

5. Manufacturing

Although the global financial crisis took its toll on Canada from 2008 to 2010, the country’s manufacturing industries are on the rebound and make up for 14% of Canada’s GDP. And, like never before, Canada’s automotive branch plants are back in full swing.

[boestar]

Its funny how all of those commodities are exported to other countries that pay less for it than we do.

No...actually thats not funny at all.

[Guest]

Its funny how all of those commodities are exported to other countries that pay less for it than we do.

No...actually thats not funny at all.

???? Technology, services, manufacturing ???

[cata]

I guess there will be a union at WestJet after all, a quorum of 35 per cent of the pilots in the proposed bargaining unit must cast votes in order for the vote to be valid. If that quorum is met, then the union will be certified if more than 50 per cent of those pilots who voted cast a “yes” vote. I thought CIRB made changes to make it harder to get a union but under this rule 220 pilots or just 17% of total need to vote "yes"

[Critter]

Bill C525 increased the percentage of cards that needed to be signed to apply for certification from 35% to 40% and required a vote regardless of the number of cards signed. The old procedure allowed for automatic certification should the union have cards signed for over 50% of the defined bargaining unit.

Decertification is also now easier.

[Guest]

WestJet pilots union vote results expected today

Calgary-based airline's roughly 1,300 pilots have been voting by secret ballot

The Canadian Press Posted: Aug 05, 2015 6:57 AM MT Last Updated: Aug 05, 2015 6:58 AM MT

The results of a two-week vote on whether WestJet pilots will form the company's first union are expected today.

The airline's roughly 1,300 pilots have been voting by secret ballot on whether to recognize the WestJet Professional Pilots Association as their official bargaining unit.

WestJet has been growing in recent years, opening new offices in Toronto and Vancouver while expanding its routes, including its first trans-Atlantic flights last year.

The association says it's time the company's pilots are represented through a certified union as WestJet grows.

WestJet has said it believes the fact that it has a non-union workforce gives it a competitive advantage, adding that collective bargaining could lead to service disruptions and increased labour costs.

Last week, WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky said he doesn't believe the company's relationship with its workers will change, regardless of the outcome of the vote.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-pilots-union-vote-results-expected-today-1.3179792?cmp=rss