Air transportation is one of the most important industries in Canada – and around the world. As a WestJet worker, you know the importance of the work you do. Moving people and goods across the globe can only be possible through the work you do.
YOU’VE TOLD US
We have been listening to you about the challenges you are facing during this time of COVID-19. The pandemic which has been devastating all sectors is also giving employers the opportunity to take advantage of their workers. This is simply wrong!
You and other WestJet workers took the company from a small operation to a world-renowned organisation. You deserve much more credit and more recognition – especially during this COVID-19 crisis. You’ve told us of the abrupt way you were informed of the abrupt suspension of layoffs and leaves of absence! The lack of time given for you to consider the action shows a lack of respect.
Instead of being treated like family members, WestJet treated you like you were total strangers. This is simply wrong!
The IAM, as the union with the longest history of representing workers in the airline industry, have contracts in place with some of the greatest protections in Canada. Recall rights and layoff language makes up a strong part of those collective bargaining agreements.
IAM contracts clearly spell out every single detail of any layoff or leaves of absence. It only makes sense to protect our members, especially in difficult times and times of quickly changing circumstances. We have negotiated layoff and recall language
We are carefully watching WestJet, as well as all other employers, to see if they try to take advantage of the pandemic to claw away the rights we have negotiated. We will fight tooth and nail to protect our members’ rights, and we’ll do the same for non-unionised workers. It’s only fair.
If IAM members at Air Canada are on layoff, the company cannot hire a non-member until all laid-off workers with recall rights have been returned to work. The recall is done in order of seniority. This is not only a recognition of their membership in the IAM, it also recognises their role in building and growing the airline.
Our contracts generally have recall provisions for up to five years. And we enforce it. It gives our members a sense of security to know that we have layoff and recall language and that they will return to work in a manner that they easily understand.
The language you currently have in your contract doesn’t protect your rights adequately. Knowing the airline industry and the many ways it can be (and has been) affected should have let the AEA to have that negotiated as one of the first priorities. The IAM commits to make it part of your contract!
When you join the IAM, you become part of the most experienced unions in the airline industry. We have members across North America, so we always have the latest news on what happens in your industry. When you join the IAM, your voice gets heard.
Please download, fill out and sign your IAM Membership Car (and pay the $5 required under federal labour law). This is the beginning of standing up for yourself – and your family
To join the IAM, please click on this link to download out membership card
http://iamfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/memcard_federal_2017.pdf
Don’t forget to keep coming back to www.IAMFamily.ca to get the latest news.