WestJet’s acquisition of Sunwing may have a “deep and negative effect on Canadian jobs,” a powerful Canadian union argues. Unifor, which represents some 16,000 airline workers across the country, late last week filed s public interest submission with the Canadian government, arguing that Transport Canada and the Competition Bureau must consider that a Sunwing-WestJet merger could lead to lower wages and lost jobs. “Unifor is concerned that, despite the promises made to create jobs, this acquisition will actually lead to more sub-contracted work with lower wages and precarious conditions,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “Not only Read more
Unifor
WestJet has reached a tentative agreement with workers in Calgary and Vancouver that should allow the airline to avoid a strike. WestJet and Unifor, the certified union representing certain WestJet airport employees at YYC Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport, said they reached a tentative agreement late Sunday night on the first collective bargaining agreement between the organizations. Both parties now await the ratification vote to be put forward to membership. “WestJet is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that recognizes the important contributions of its valued airport employees, in balance with the long-term success of our airline,” Read more
As if Canada’s skies and airports weren’t chaotic enough this summer, there’s now the threat of a West Jet workers’ strike. 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, 2022, says 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 Read more
Finally, some good news for Canadian travellers. VIA Rail Canada has reached tentative agreements with Unifor’s Council 4000 and Local 100, the union representing some 2,400 VIA Rail employees. The deal averts a Unifor strike, which would’ve stalled trains and unleashed more chaos for travellers in Canada. These tentative agreements are subject to a ratification vote by VIA Rail’s Unifor members. Once ratified, the collective agreements will be retroactive to January 1, 2022, and in effect through December 31, 2024. Details of the agreements will only be released following ratification by members. “VIA Rail is pleased to have negotiated these Read more
VIA Rail says a strike deadline by its union has been extended to 8 p.m. Eastern Time today (Monday, July 11). VIA Rail officials put out a statement shortly after midnight to say the 12:01 a.m. strike deadline by Unifor had been extended to 4 p.m., which suggested progress was being made in negotiations. Late this afternoon, word came that the 4 p.m. deadline had been extended to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) continues to negotiate with the union representing some 2,400 VIA Rail employees working in its stations, on board its trains, in its maintenance Read more
