April 26, 2024

Participants for AMFA:
Bret Oestreich – National President
Will Abbott – Region II Director
Ian Evershed – Airline Representative
Simon Weizman – Member-at-Large Negotiator
Lee Seham – Legal Counsel
Peter Manikowski – Economist

Participants for WestJet Airlines:
Diederik Pen – President and COO, WestJet Group
Gandeephan Ganeshalingam – Vice President Tech Ops
Jason Begley – Director, Labour Relations
Virginia Swindall – Senior Manager, Labour Relations
Richard Tanner – Associate General Counsel
Alex Hunt – Corporate Counsel – Labour Relations
Alisha Visanji – Cost Controller
John Romane – Person Responsible for Maintenance
Darren Cook – Line Maintenance Manager

UNION AUTHORIZES STRIKE BALLOT

The AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee (the “Committee”) is providing this update to the Membership at WestJet, an Alberta Partnership (“WestJet”). This is the only officially authorized source of negotiating communications.

WestJet and AMFA representatives met in Calgary, Alberta on April 23-26, 2024. On a parallel track, AMFA administrators were updating employee contacts and making arrangements with its balloting contractor to proceed with a strike vote if required.  It is required.

It is our intention to issue the strike ballot next week. A secret ballot vote will be conducted, and bargaining unit members will be allowed seven calendar days to submit their vote. In the coming weeks of negotiations, however, we are determined to make every reasonable effort to achieve contractual wages and work rules commensurate with your skills.

The Company persists in its failure to submit written proposals throughout the week on significantly enhancing your wages, benefits, layoff/recall, and quality of life work rules. In that case, the Union will call a strike in conformance with the requirements of the Canada Labour Code. Please make sure you have registered on the AMFA National website with your personal email address to receive important future strike vote information.

Stay engaged with your Union updates and officers and continue to watch what the Company does as opposed to what it says in written updates or video messages. Remain informed and continue to support the Negotiating Committee as that support increases the ability to bargain a collective agreement your hard work deserves.

AMFA thanks the numerous members who came to observe negotiations. Your input is valued, and your presence has an impact. Your AMFA representatives will continue to provide regular updates throughout the negotiating process. Thank you for your continued support.

Fraternally,

AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee