On 28APR, WestJet and Unifor, the union representing the airline's employees at YYZ, reached a tentative agreement on the first collective bargaining agreement between the organizations.
Unifor Local 531 represents 350 workers at YYZ, who are primarily customer service agents and baggage agents. A ratification meeting for members will be held on 03MAY.
"WestJet is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that recognizes the important contributions of our valued airport employees at YYZ," said Diederik Pen, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our airport employees play an integral role in supporting our operations and this settlement reflects WestJet's commitment to supporting them as they continue to provide the friendly, reliable service our guests know and expect of the WestJet Group.”
"A first contract sets the base from which we bargain in the future and WestJet members have worked hard to reach this tentative agreement," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "By joining Unifor, WestJet members have gained a strong voice to improve their working conditions and can now do so through collective bargaining."
Bargaining first began 24OCT 2022, after the Canada Industrial Relations Board certified Unifor's application for the WestJet workers in Toronto to join the union in JUL 2022. According to Unifor, key issues in bargaining include wages, job security and seniority rights.
Unifor represents 16,000 members across Canada in the aviation sector, including approximately 1,300 at WestJet in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto.
