Unifor signs up Westjet passenger agents

[dagger]

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/westjet-workers-join-unifor-803262339.html

 

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WestJet workers join Unifor

TORONTO, May 21, 2021 /CNW/ - In a major victory for hard-hit airline workers, 531 WestJet airport agents in Calgary and Vancouver are now members of Unifor, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has declared.

"Today these workers have gained a voice in their workplace during a challenging time in their industry. WestJet workers are dedicated employees who have a great deal to offer as the airline moves forward," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

WestJet Airport Agents join Unifor (CNW Group/Unifor)

 

"With the sale of their airline almost two years ago and the impact of the pandemic on all airlines over the past year, it is vital that workers have a voice in the future of this company."

Unifor filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board on April 12, 2021 to certify Unifor as the union for 320 airport agents in Calgary and 211 in Vancouver, including those on the job and those laid off due to COVID-19. 

The board certified Unifor as the sole bargaining agent for these workers Thursday after declaring that more than half the workers at the two locations had signed membership cards.

Unifor represents 7,500 airport agents at other airlines, including at Air Canada, Jazz, Porter, First Air, Calm Air and more. In all, Unifor represents more than 16,000 workers across the airline industry, and has led the fight to push the federal government to create a national aviation plan, and has held rallies, presented to parliamentary committees and has actively lobbied for a national recovery plan for the sector that includes financial support for workers.

"I am proud to work at WestJet, and proud to now be a member of Unifor. WestJet grew as a company where workers were heard, and Unifor will help make sure that continue," said Sherwin Antonio a Customer Service Agent in Baggage at WestJet in Calgary.

"We have been talking to WestJet workers across the country for some time, and support has always been strong. A year ago, we suddenly could no longer talk to them in airports because of COVID-19, and switched to online organizing," Unifor Organizing Director Kellie Scanlan said.

"Today's victory for WestJet workers really shows the power online organizing."

 

 

Edited May 21, 2021 by dagger

[Specs]

3 hours ago, dagger said:

A year ago, we suddenly could no longer talk to them in airports because of COVID-19, and switched to online organizing," Unifor Organizing Director Kellie Scanlan said.

I still wonder what happened in Georgia a few weeks ago with the Amazon distribution centre vote for unionization.  The workers voted not to unionize.  Did the management play dirty tricks to stack the vote?

[FA@AC]

Has WestJet outsourced its pax handling at YYZ or did its YYZ agents opt not to unionize?  

[Bobcaygeon]

No real surprise here at all. After what happened to all the long time non-union CSAs (at stations like YWG, etc ) before and early in COVID who were all laid off and replaced with contract employees (ATS) the next day. They're looking for protection for themselves from the same thing happening.

This was in the works long before COVID hit and made a nice scapegoat.

WJ's "Koolaid" is long gone and management has no one to thank but themselves.

 

[Guest1]

7 minutes ago, Bobcaygeon said:

 

WJ's "Koolaid" is long gone and management has no one to thank but themselves.

 

And I guess the employee owners who sold their shares and those shareholders who voted to take the Onex offer hold some of the responsibility too. 

Quote

It declined to disclose further terms of the transaction. WestJet shareholders will receive $31 in cash for each share 

Too bad though.  

[CanadaEH]

5 hours ago, Bobcaygeon said:

No real surprise here at all. After what happened to all the long time non-union CSAs (at stations like YWG, etc ) before and early in COVID who were all laid off and replaced with contract employees (ATS) the next day. They're looking for protection for themselves from the same thing happening.

This was in the works long before COVID hit and made a nice scapegoat.

WJ's "Koolaid" is long gone and management has no one to thank but themselves.

 

"The next day"..... which is 100% false. 

Lot of employees were laid off. No doubt about that. Seniority was in place for those layoffs so the more senior employees remained while those junior did not... until those bases were closed down about a year after those layoffs started. And yes all bases except the big 4 were contracted out but not on your timeline. Get your facts straight.

[Guest1]

12 hours ago, CanadaEH said:

"The next day"..... which is 100% false. 

Lot of employees were laid off. No doubt about that. Seniority was in place for those layoffs so the more senior employees remained while those junior did not... until those bases were closed down about a year after those layoffs started. And yes all bases except the big 4 were contracted out but not on your timeline. Get your facts straight.

Has YYZ being outsourced or did they not want or be asked to join the union? 

[CanadaEH]

2 hours ago, Kargokings said:

Has YYZ being outsourced or did they not want or be asked to join the union? 

They haven't been outsourced; neither has YEG. I suspect both bases don't have enough signed up.

I'm sure they're close. 

[Guest1]

Thanks for the information.  good luck to all involved.