April 18, 2024
Participants for AMFA:
Bret Oestreich – National President
Ian Evershed – Airline Representative
Simon Weizman – Member-at-Large Negotiator
Lee Seham – Legal Counsel
Peter Manikowski – Economist
Participants for WestJet Airlines:
Diederik Pen – President and COO, WestJet Group
Gandeephan Ganeshalingam – Vice President Tech Ops
Jason Begley – Director, Labour Relations
Virginia Swindall – Senior Manager, Labour Relations
Richard Tanner – Associate General Counsel
Alex Hunt – Corporate Counsel – Labour Relations
Alisha Visanji – Cost Controller
John Romane – Person Responsible for Maintenance
Sarah Iverson – Labour Relations Advisor
Sara Nuhn – Lead Coordinator, Tech-ops
Darren Cook – Line Maintenance Manager
NEGOTIATIONS HIT A WALL
The AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee (the “Committee”) is providing this update to the Membership at WestJet, an Alberta Partnership (“WestJet”). This is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications.
As you will recall, Senior Manager, Labour Relations Virginia Swindall, by email dated February 1, 2024, advised, “It is our intention to have a tentative agreement for the Union to recommend to its members not later than April 13.” WestJet subsequently submitted a “comprehensive” proposal that it knew would never be ratified. Indeed, WestJet negotiators expressed dismay that AMFA had disclosed the Company’s wage proposal to the AME group. By contrast, AMFA seeks to bargain in good faith.
On April 10, 2024, AMFA submitted its comprehensive proposal to WestJet. AMFA advised the Company that, if accepted, AMFA would commence the ratification process without delay.
As of noon on April 18, 2024, WestJet had still not provided an economic package to supplant the pre-existing proposal that provided for a reduction in real wages. AMFA brought its economic consultant to review and respond to the WestJet package – but, for nearly the entire week, there was nothing for him to respond to. AMFA then advised that, unless the promised counter was provided by the close of business, it would advise its members that negotiations had stalled. WestJet responded.
WestJet responded with a proposal to increase wages over the next five years at the rates of 4%, 2%, 2%, 2% and 2%. WestJet rejected the inclusion of the ACA premium as component of overtime or WSP. The Company also refused to agree to layoff protection for any current employees and expressly stated that comparable pilot job security provisions would not be extended to AMEs. In terms of scheduling, the Company is seeking a “5 and 2” shift pattern that would have AMEs working on the weekend. WestJet also wants AMEs to bid vacations in seven-day blocks, rather than individual days, in order to maximize your presence in the workplace.
If you feel angry reading this, we are not surprised. We will re-engage tomorrow but are pessimistic about reaching an agreement. In a formal legal submission to a federal court, WestJet represented that the parties would reach an agreement in April. We believe our members and the federal court have been deceived.
AMFA thanks the numerous members who came to negotiations. Your input is valued, and your presence has an impact.
Stay engaged with your Union updates and officers and continue to watch what the Company does rather than what it says in written updates or video messages. Remain informed and continue to support the Negotiating Committee as that support increases the ability to bargain a collective agreement your hard work deserves.
Your AMFA representatives will provide regular updates throughout the negotiating process. Thank you for your support.
Fraternally,
AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee
