More than 700 WestJet workers in Calgary and Vancouver voted in favour of strike action should they be unable to reach a new contract. .A strike vote taking place in Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC) beginning last Friday in YVR and ending Tuesday in YYC ended with 98% voting in favour of a strike if a deal can't be reached between workers and the company. .The Western Standard on Sunday received leaked documents from an unnamed source advising of the strike vote and included a list of demands key to the negotiations. .READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: WestJet may see strike action from workers according to leaked docs.The list of demands from employees includes:.A living wage reflective of the work we perform and cost of living increasesAn immediate improvement to current working conditionsPremiums for specialized roles, relief positions and nighttime workRe-instatement of part-time benefits prior to COVID (STD and LTD)Vacation and Stat Day for Full Time EmployeesImproved Sick LeavePaid Breaks.The union representing baggage service agents, customer service agents (CSA) and guest service leads — Unifor Local 531 — said wages are one of the main issues being raised in the contract talks. .In an email sent to YYC staff Wednesday morning, Unifor told workers "WestJet needs a wake-up call." ."WestJet workers in Calgary and Vancouver have voted overwhelmingly to support the bargaining committee and take strike action if a deal cannot be reached, as early as July 27," said Unifor. ."The union is fighting for better wages," said Scott Doherty, executive assistant to Unifor's national president. ."The pay scale has not been increased for more than five years, making WestJet's wages among the lowest in the Canadian aviation industry and no match for soaring inflation." ."We are looking for, not only a fair deal that's right for our members, but for WestJet to comprehend how much of a pressure-cooker atmosphere it is for them." .Sherwin Antonio, a member of the union's bargaining committee in Calgary said staff are "burnt out." ."This is the perfect storm of massive worker shortages, lost baggage and flight chaos. The people who get the brunt of the anger aren't the people in the boardroom, but us." ."We have been telling the company for months, we need support. And we need it now." .The union is required to give WestJet 72 hours notice of any strike action. According to the leaked documents, if notice is given by July 24, workers could walk out as early as July 27 at midnight. .WestJet spokesperson Angela Avery said in a statement the strike action is a "common step in the labour negotiations process" adding the action "was not unexpected." ."We remain focused on successfully negotiating an agreement that provides value to our airport employees, many of whom have joined WestJet in the last year. In the meantime, we will continue to provide our guests with the friendly and affordable air travel WestJet has always been known for,” said Avery, WestJet's executive vice-president and chief people, corporate and sustainability officer..The airline said it's "committed to competitive compensation" for its staff while it works to become profitable again, pointing to its "unprecedented financial losses resulting from the pandemic" over the last two years. .The statement said WestJet is working on contingency plans should a strike happen and continues to work with the federal government, third-party providers and airport partners to reduce operational challenges "that remain outside of WestJet's control."
More than 700 WestJet workers in Calgary and Vancouver voted in favour of strike action should they be unable to reach a new contract. .A strike vote taking place in Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC) beginning last Friday in YVR and ending Tuesday in YYC ended with 98% voting in favour of a strike if a deal can't be reached between workers and the company. .The Western Standard on Sunday received leaked documents from an unnamed source advising of the strike vote and included a list of demands key to the negotiations. .READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: WestJet may see strike action from workers according to leaked docs.The list of demands from employees includes:.A living wage reflective of the work we perform and cost of living increasesAn immediate improvement to current working conditionsPremiums for specialized roles, relief positions and nighttime workRe-instatement of part-time benefits prior to COVID (STD and LTD)Vacation and Stat Day for Full Time EmployeesImproved Sick LeavePaid Breaks.The union representing baggage service agents, customer service agents (CSA) and guest service leads — Unifor Local 531 — said wages are one of the main issues being raised in the contract talks. .In an email sent to YYC staff Wednesday morning, Unifor told workers "WestJet needs a wake-up call." ."WestJet workers in Calgary and Vancouver have voted overwhelmingly to support the bargaining committee and take strike action if a deal cannot be reached, as early as July 27," said Unifor. ."The union is fighting for better wages," said Scott Doherty, executive assistant to Unifor's national president. ."The pay scale has not been increased for more than five years, making WestJet's wages among the lowest in the Canadian aviation industry and no match for soaring inflation." ."We are looking for, not only a fair deal that's right for our members, but for WestJet to comprehend how much of a pressure-cooker atmosphere it is for them." .Sherwin Antonio, a member of the union's bargaining committee in Calgary said staff are "burnt out." ."This is the perfect storm of massive worker shortages, lost baggage and flight chaos. The people who get the brunt of the anger aren't the people in the boardroom, but us." ."We have been telling the company for months, we need support. And we need it now." .The union is required to give WestJet 72 hours notice of any strike action. According to the leaked documents, if notice is given by July 24, workers could walk out as early as July 27 at midnight. .WestJet spokesperson Angela Avery said in a statement the strike action is a "common step in the labour negotiations process" adding the action "was not unexpected." ."We remain focused on successfully negotiating an agreement that provides value to our airport employees, many of whom have joined WestJet in the last year. In the meantime, we will continue to provide our guests with the friendly and affordable air travel WestJet has always been known for,” said Avery, WestJet's executive vice-president and chief people, corporate and sustainability officer..The airline said it's "committed to competitive compensation" for its staff while it works to become profitable again, pointing to its "unprecedented financial losses resulting from the pandemic" over the last two years. .The statement said WestJet is working on contingency plans should a strike happen and continues to work with the federal government, third-party providers and airport partners to reduce operational challenges "that remain outside of WestJet's control."
