WestJet workers in Toronto ratify their first collective agreement
by CM staff
The ratification vote took place on May 3 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto. The 2.5-year contract begins June 1, 2023, and expires Dec. 31, 2026.
A Unifor WestJet YYZ member casts her ballot during the ratification vote for the unit’s first contract with WestJet at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto on May 3, 2023. (CNW Group/Unifor)
TORONTO — The 350 members of Unifor Local 531 have ratified their first collective agreement with WestJet at Pearson International Airport in Toronto (YYZ).
“Congratulations to our WestJet members and the bargaining committee,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Given the challenges for workers in the aviation sector coming out of the pandemic and the constant upheaval at airports across the country, workers know how important having a say over their working conditions is. This first agreement will be the foundation for better and decent work.”
The ratification vote took place on May 3 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto. The 2.5-year contract begins June 1, 2023, and expires Dec. 31, 2026.
The members in this unit are primarily customer service agents and baggage agents at YYZ.
Members in the new pay progression will receive between 8.4 per cent and 20 per cent wage increases within the first year of the new agreement and additional wage increases of 2 per cent on Jan. 1 each year until 2026.
In addition, all breaks are now paid, and the company must provide eight-week schedules to allow members more stability and predictability.
WestJet Toronto workers will receive 12 paid sick days if they are full-time and 10 for part-timers, as well as defined scope work language, the establishment of a grievance procedure and a Unifor Women’s Advocate position.
“We’re excited to deliver these gains to our members,” said Karen Berry, President of Local 531. “We are looking forward to having the YYZ (Toronto) members join their coworkers in YVR (Vancouver) and YYC (Calgary). Together, there is power in a union.”
Bargaining first began Oct. 24, 2022, after the Canada Industrial Relations Board certified Unifor’s application for the WestJet workers in Toronto to join the union last July.
