Statement from CUPE National President Mark Hancock, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick and CUPE Airline Division President Wesley Lesosky on the tentative agreement between CUPE 8125 and WestJet:
On behalf of 800,000 CUPE members, including 20,000 in the airline sector, we congratulate CUPE 8125 President Alia Hussain, the bargaining committee, and all our members who have signed a tentative agreement that makes significant progress toward ensuring every hour on the job is paid at WestJet mainline.
This moment is the result of significant efforts by the local, CUPE’s Airline Division, our national union, and the thousands of union members who have mobilized to make this a reality. This victory belongs to them first and foremost.
We acknowledge the federal government for refraining from undue interference in the bargaining process. It’s now clear what flight attendants are capable of achieving when the government’s foot is not tipping the scales in favour of employers.
We are proud of the standard that CUPE flight attendants at Air Canada and WestJet have now set at bargaining tables in successive years – and we expect that trend to continue. Our campaign to end unpaid work for all flight attendants at every airline across Canada is not over. We will not stop until every hour worked is an hour paid