June 29, 2024
Read carefully WestJet’s publications relating to your collective action. They resonate with cowardice and deception.
WestJet’s press releases state that they “consider” the current strike to be unlawful or that they have come to that “conclusion.” By cleverly couching public statements as opinion, rather than statements of fact, WestJet tiptoes to the edge of defamation without crossing the line.
The truth is that, in response to WestJet’s demand that our action be declared unlawful, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, on June 28, stated in stark terms:
[T]he Board heard arguments from the parties on the effect of the binding arbitration directed by the ministerial referral on the union’s right to strike …
[T]he Board finds that the ministerial referral does not have the effect of suspending the right to strike or lockout…
WestJet has issued a lockout notice, which it has not rescinded. Similarly, we are exercising our constitutional right to withhold our labour.
Some WestJet managers have not been so carefully coached in the art of insinuation. They make bald statements that you are acting unlawfully and that you may be terminated.
AMFA is asking you for the names of managers who have accused you of illegal behaviour and/or threatened you in any way, along with the time and date of the threat.
If you read media statements that affirmatively assert that you or AMFA have acted illegally, please provide us with the information so that we may demand a retraction and consider whether a defamation action is appropriate.
AMFA has offered to meet, at any time and any place, to resume negotiations. WestJet has not responded. That is the truth.
Fraternally,
AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee