WestJet and Swoop News

[Turbofan]

Looks like the CIRB refused to deny the right to strike even in a first contract agreement that was sent to arbitration.

So the AMFA is on strike and in arbitration at the same time.  Or at least that is their version.

[Malcolm]

11 minutes ago, Turbofan said:

Looks like the CIRB refused to deny the right to strike even in a first contract agreement that was sent to arbitration.

So the AMFA is on strike and in arbitration at the same time.  Or at least that is their version.

And the members are without pay or benefits being on strike rather then taking biding arbitration. 

[Turbofan]

16 minutes ago, Malcolm said:

And the members are without pay or benefits being on strike rather then taking biding arbitration. 

They want to negotiate.  Even now they continue to send messages to WJ that they are ready to talk and end the job action.

We all know arbitration means getting nothing. 
 

This is their right.

Unions in this country are just champing at the bit to defend against even the slightest sniff of government interference.  No one wants to go back to Harper days.  

Without the right to strike the negotiating table gets tilted toward the employer and they won’t negotiate.

Expect the right to strike to be defended fiercely.  Unions don’t have a choice.

 

[FA@AC]

WestJet didn't see this coming when they petitioned for arbitration.

Can the CIRB or the GOC now order an end to the strike, or would Parliament first have to pass some sort of legislation?

[Malcolm]

12 minutes ago, Turbofan said:

 

Unions in this country are just champing at the bit to defend against even the slightest sniff of government interference.  No one wants to go back to Harper days.  
 

The right to strike will be defended fiercely.  They don’t have a choice.

 

'We're outraged': Union rips Liberal back-to-work bill for Canada Post carriers | CBC News

[Turbofan]

The CIRB made a ruling last week affirming the AMFA’s right to strike. In fact the latest ruling imposing arbitration looks to enforce the previous ruling.  

We have never seen this so I really don’t know all the possible outcomes.

The most obvious that comes to mind.  Negotiate

[conehead]

17 minutes ago, FA@AC said:

Can the CIRB or the GOC now order an end to the strike, or would Parliament first have to pass some sort of legislation?

That's a great question... I'm eagerly awaiting an answer to this. I support AMFA 100% in these actions, even though it's messing up my travel plans. Air Canada flights are filling up...

[FA@AC]

Alex is about to say something.

 

[Malcolm]

2 minutes ago, conehead said:

That's a great question... I'm eagerly awaiting an answer to this. I support AMFA 100% in these actions, even though it's messing up my travel plans. Air Canada flights are filling up...

Likely adverse effects to commuters on AC?

[Turbofan]

4 minutes ago, Malcolm said:

Likely adverse effects to commuters on AC?

A distinct possibility especially out of Alberta.

I don't think AC understands how dependent they are on other airlines to get their pilots to work.

They have steadfastly opposed a commuter policy to this day.  Something that has existed everywhere for decades.

It could bite them

[Malcolm]

17 minutes ago, Turbofan said:

A distinct possibility especially out of Alberta.

I don't think AC understands how dependent they are on other airlines to get their pilots to work.

They have steadfastly opposed a commuter policy to this day.  Something that has existed everywhere for decades.

It could bite them

They may indeed understand but in this case the only viable way for the commuters will be to try and get space on AC , which could indeed be difficult as available flights shrink.  As for commuter policies, following is a list of some (airline commuter policies - Google Search) but most seem to be built around the responsibility of the employee to get to work rather than any arrangement to carry airline commuter policies - Google Search of other airlines

Are there any published agreement re travel by commuters on other airlines non connected airlines?

[FA@AC]

All that has come out of the press conference so far (12:18PM EST) is that WestJet expects to hear from the Minister of Labour within the next couple of hours.  No talk from either of them about further negotiation, just that they expect an "intervention".  Beyond that, neither the CEO nor the COO seem to know what to do.

Alex referred to AMFA as a "rogue US union attempting to make inroads in Canada" or something like that.  Not a very helpful comment under the circumstances.

Edited Saturday at 04:38 PM by FA@AC

[Malcolm]

5 minutes ago, FA@AC said:

All that has come out of the press conference so far (12:18PM EST) is that WestJet expects to hear from the Minister of Labour within the next couple of hours.  Not talk from either of them about further negotiation, just that they expect an "intervention".  Beyond that, neither the CEO nor the COO seem to know what to do.

Alex referred to AMFA as a "rogue US union attempting to make inroads in Canada" or something like that.  Not a very helpful comment under the circumstances.

Taking On AMFA – Transport Workers Union (twu.org)

 

 

[Turbofan]

https://www.amfanational.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=923827

[Turbofan]

32 minutes ago, Malcolm said:

They may indeed understand but in this case the only viable way for the commuters will be to try and get space on AC , which could indeed be difficult as available flights shrink.  As for commuter policies, following is a list of some (airline commuter policies - Google Search) but most seem to be built around the responsibility of the employee to get to work rather than any arrangement to carry airline commuter policies - Google Search of other airlines

Are there any published agreement re travel by commuters on other airlines non connected airlines?

All commuter policies are based on the employee making a reasonable attempt to get to work.

If you don't make it to work there is no punitive measures other than pay.

In exchange for this there are a liteny of measures to help protect the operation.  Things like.  If they call out reserve?  You replace reserve on arrival.  Company choice to POS DH.  

At AC if you don't make to work they put a letter on your file.  They essentially start the termination process.

As a result most pilots unable to get to work will likely book off sick.

Leaving AC unable to protect the operation if something acute happens.

They pay 56K to start.  Yet they expect people to live on the base?  It's not reasonable to expect.  Then these new pilots commute bottom of the list and are at much higher risk of not making it to work.

Flight ops management is well aware of the risk this poses to the operation.  I have heard them state it.

Yet they refuse to address it.  They seem to think if they put their baseball bat away a commuter policy would be abused.

Every other airlines manages it.

 

 

[FA@AC]

Sounds as if the Labour Minister was caught off guard too.

https://www.thestar.com/business/as-westjet-mechanics-strike-labour-minister-says-boards-order-is-inconsistent-with-his-push-toward/article_3349976a-3628-11ef-9c71-8f1c4d6a092c.html

[Specs]

44 minutes ago, Turbofan said:

They pay 56K to start.  Yet they expect people to live on the base?  It's not reasonable to expect. 

Please tell me where people making 56K can commute to and afford to live.  

[Turbofan]

16 minutes ago, Specs said:

Please tell me where people making 56K can commute to and afford to live.  

Can't live in YVR or YYZ unless it is your parents basement.  Can't afford to commute either.  Unless in parents basement.

Other option is debt.  But that isn't sustainable 

[Tango Foxtrot]

 

 Soon AMFA will represent all unionized A.M.E.s in Canada.  

 The responsibility for this is squarely on the shoulders of management. 

 

[bm330]

1 hour ago, Turbofan said:

Can't live in YVR or YYZ unless it is your parents basement.  Can't afford to commute either.  Unless in parents basement.

Other option is debt.  But that isn't sustainable 

That's why AC has been cancelling induction courses for lack of qualified applicants. Also why flat pay is a top priority for the negotiations. 

[mo32a]

The union leaders should be jailed.

[conehead]

50 minutes ago, mo32a said:

The union leaders should be jailed.

Why?

[conehead]

Update from Minister O'Regan on "X";

[Malcolm]

and south of the borderAMFA | Sun Country Airlines (amfanational.org)

October 13, 2023 – After a year of unproductive negotiations with Sun Country Airlines (SCA), the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) has requested that the National Mediation Board (NMB) appoint a federal mediator to oversee the bargaining process.

[Malcolm]

AMFA-WJA Negotiations Update #15

May 11, 2024

May 11, 2024 The AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee (the “Committee”) is providing this update to the Membership at WestJet, an Alberta Partnership (“WestJet”). This is the only officialyl authorized source of negotiating communications. Your Committee is now working with Legal and the Company to finalize the Tentative Agreement (TA) reached last weekend in Chicago.  AMFA’s goal is to distribute the TA to members for consideration no later than May 17, 2024. AMFA plans to hold a roadshow during the week of May 20 to present the TA and answer all questions. We will share the dates, times, and locations for the presentations in the coming days.  We anticipate the voting on the TA to conclude by mid-June 2024. Fraternally, AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee