WestJet says it is making contingency plans after Unifor Local 531 - which represents over 700 baggage service agents, customer service agents and guest service leads at YYC and YVR-- voted overwhelmingly to authorize strike action.
If a settlement is not achieved, the workers could strike as early as July 27.
In response to Unifor strike authorization, Angela Avery, WestJet EVP and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer made the following statement:
"This is a common step in the labour negotiation process and 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."
The airline says it is "working on precautionary contingency plans, and has identified employees who may be reassigned if required."
Unifor is seeking higher pay for its members, but also says it wants WestJet "to comprehend how much of a pressure-cooker atmosphere" employees are currently experiencing.
"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."
Unifor says money isn't the only issue, saying that since ince air travel began picking up in the spring, WestJet workers "have endured verbal abuse and, at times, physical threats from travellers" whose flights were delayed or cancelled.
"We are burnt out," said Sherwin Antonio, member of the Local 531's Calgary Bargaining Committee. "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 more support. And we need it now."
WestJet says it is committed to "competitive compensation that recognize airport employee contributions, while ensuring the airline is positioned to return to profitability, following more than two years of unprecedented financial losses resulting from the pandemic."
The union is in a legal strike position beginning July 27. Prior to taking any strike action, Unifor must serve WestJet with 72 hours' notice of its intention to strike.
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