WestJet on April 29 celebrated the takeoff of connectivity betweenย Atlantaย andย Edmonton, following the departure of flight WS1902 atย 00:45 MDT. The launch of the airline’s exclusive service marked a critical milestone in growingย Edmonton’sย direct transborder travel options to one of the world’s largest global hubs.
Route
Frequency
Start Date
Departure
Arrival
Edmonton-Atlanta
Daily
April 29
12:45 a.m.
7:06 a.m.
Atlanta-Edmonton
Daily
April 29
9:05 a.m.
11:50 a.m.
blue sky and white clouds
More seamless options for trade and tourism with access toย Atlanta, Delta’s largest hub
The United Statesย representsย Alberta’sย most important bilateral trade partner and the largest inbound tourism market for the province. Through WestJet’s longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines, guests connecting throughย Atlantaย will gain access to a vast network of U.S. destinations on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at the first departure, baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access for select guests. Additionally, frequent flyers of both airlines will continue to enjoy extensive reciprocal benefits any time they fly with either carrier, including earning and redeeming in their preferred program.
WestJet today celebrated the launch of its new uniform collection for frontline team members, on a special runway at the YYC Calgary International Airport. The uniforms, conceptualized by international designer, Juli Grbac, are unique to Canada and were created with safety and inclusivity at the forefront.
A fit for every body
While developing WestJet’s new uniform, frontline WestJetters across all departments of the airline were consulted throughout the development phases to refine the designs and create a product suited to those who would wear it.
In 2017, WestJet was the first Canadian airline to update their uniform guidelines to be unchained from gender norms. WestJet’s new uniforms, The Lakes and Rocky Mountain collections, further that approach as they are genderless, providing the opportunity for WestJetters to select the uniform that is most authentic and comfortable to them. Redesigned name tags also feature a newly created space for pronouns, to promote greater inclusivity for everyone in WestJet’s world, while an infusion of the airline’s iconic teal colour highlights its 26-year history.
Along with the new uniforms, WestJet recently updated its tattoo policy to ensure frontline staff have the freedom to showcase visible tattoos and celebrate individuality, while wearing their uniform and representing the airline.
Safety in every stitch
Keeping safety above all, every component of WestJet’s new uniforms has been tested for harmful substances or possible skin irritants. WestJet will proudly be the first airline in Canada to carry the Standard 100 OEKO-TEX certification, ensuring all WestJetters will not only look good, but feel good in their uniform.
WestJet’s new uniforms were produced by Unisync, a North American enterprise with exceptional capabilities in garment design. On May 30, 2022, Unisync and WestJet were awarded Best Program in Transportation โ Aviation and “Best of the Best” at the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors annual convention.
“Everyone at Unisync is honored to have worked on this collection in collaboration with the WestJet team and designer Juli Grbac,” said Michael Smith, President of Unisync Group Limited.ย “We are so excited for all WestJetters to not only have a program that looks great, but also one that has been recognized for its high quality and industry leading safety certification.ย From the beginning, we knew that this program was going to be very special, and we’re proud that WestJet entrusted us with this partnership.”
What the new uniforms mean to WestJetters:
“The availability for gender neutrality is so important in supporting the larger and diverse group of people we have working at WestJet,” said Lindsay Poll, WestJet, Cabin Crew Member.
“As a queer identifying person, having options on what I can wear at work, means a lot. When you look good, you feel better and when you feel better, you perform at your best,” said Jodi Tamuyao, WestJet Encore, Cabin Crew Member.
“It’s about wearing something made for my body that I look and feel great in. I love the collection because it does just that,” said Meg Bateman, WestJet, Manager, The Runway Uniform Fit Center.
WestJet has announced new nonstop service between Winnipeg and Los Angeles, beginning October 31, 2022.
From left: Nick Hays, President and CEO, Winnipeg Airports Authority, Dayna Spiring, President and CEO, Winnipeg Economic Development; John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer, The Honourable Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba; and Rod Bruinooge, Interim CEO, Manitoba Film and Music. (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
The route, which will operate three-times weekly on a year-round basis, will strengthen integral ties and convenience in transportation between Winnipeg’s expanding television and film industry and the esteemed, world-renowned hub of entertainment itself, Los Angeles.
Route
Start Date
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Winnipeg โ Los
Angeles
Beginning
October 31,
2022
3x Weekly (Monday,
Friday, Saturday)
7:00 am
8:50 am
Los Angeles –
Winnipeg
Beginning
October 31,
2022
3x Weekly (Monday,
Friday, Saturday)
9:35 am
3:07 pm
This winter, WestJet will solidify its position as the leading airline in Winnipeg providing more nonstop routes than any other carrier.
Further, the WestJet Group will increase capacity to and from Winnipeg by 80 percent in comparison to 2021, serving 22 nonstop, direct routes and producing the largest year-over-year growth of any major airport in the group’s network.
Top Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GZSG (msn 60516) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 958572.
WestJet is welcoming the airline’s newest regional route with the announcement of service between Penticton, B.C., (below) and Vancouver beginning in February of 2023. The route will strengthen critical intra-provincial connectivity for British Columbians and local businesses and is scheduled to operate six-times weekly on WestJet Link.
The new service will stimulate business and leisure travel between the cities with flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and makes WestJet the only airline serving both Calgary and Vancouver direct from Penticton.ย Through the airline’s capacity purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal Airline, all flights will be operated by WestJet Link, using a fleet of WestJet-branded 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft.
The expansion of service is the 11th destination within the WestJet Link network and will connect more guests in smaller communities to WestJet’s global network.
WestJet today celebrated the return of 17 sun routes to its network this winter. The returning routes which were suspended for more than two years, bring enhanced connectivity and vacation options for Canadians and communities across the airline’s network.
The airline today also announced new six-times weekly regional service between Penticton, B.C., and Vancouver beginning on February 17, 2023 on WestJet Link along with the restart of domestic connectivity between Edmonton and Nanaimo, B.C.
Highlights from WestJet’s winter schedule release:
Sun and Leisure, Transborder and Transatlantic:
Restart of 17 sun and leisure routes suspended since 2019
45 per cent increase to sun and leisure flights from winter 2021
60 per cent increase in transborder flights from winter 2021
25 per cent increase in transatlantic flights from winter 2021
WestJet’s investments in sun, transborder and leisure flying are growing across the country with:
A 50% increase in flights from Central/Eastern Canada from winter 2021
A 55% increase in flights from Western Canada from winter 2021
Network-wide:
65 per cent increase in flights to/from Winnipeg (YWG) from winter 2021
50 per cent increase in flights to/from Edmonton (YEG) from winter 2021
35 per cent increase in flights to/from Vancouver (YVR) from winter 2021
30 per cent increase in flights to/from Calgary (YYC) from winter 2021
10 per cent increase in flights to/from Toronto (YYZ) from winter 2021
Domestic:
New domestic connection between Vancouver and Penticton, B.C., on WestJet Link
Restart of Edmonton-Nanaimo route suspended since 2019
25 per cent overall increase in flights network-wide domestically from winter 2021
On July 29, the first collective bargaining agreement between WestJet and Unifor was ratified by Unifor’s members. Unifor is the certified union representing certain WestJet airport employees at YYC Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport.
“WestJet is pleased to share that the agreement negotiated with Unifor has been ratified by its membership,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer. “This settlement demonstrates WestJet’s commitment to its employees, the long-term success of the airline and the communities we serve.”
The agreement will come into September 1, 2022 and will be in place until December 31, 2026.
“This agreement will provide our guests, who rely on our critical investments for their air travel needs, with well-deserved confidence in their long-awaited travel plans.”
WestJet and Unifor, the certified union representing certain WestJet airport employees at YYC Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport, on July 24 reached a tentative agreement 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,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer. “Achieving this settlement reflects WestJet’s commitment to its employees and to fulfilling the important and long-awaited travel plans of our guests, at this critical recovery time for the Canadian travel and tourism sector.”
In other news, ย WestJet workers in Calgary and Vancouver have reached a tentative first collective agreement, avoiding any service interruptions in advance of Tuesday’s strike deadline.
Unifor Local 531 represents nearly 800 baggage service agents, customer service agents and guest service leads in Calgary and Vancouver airports after being certified in May of 2021.
Bargaining began in October 2021, and Unifor Local 531 filed for conciliation with the Canadian government on April 26, 2022.
WestJet today issued the following statement regarding the announcement made by Unifor, the certified union representing certain WestJet airport employees at YYC Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport, regarding the results of its strike authorization vote.
In response to Unifor strike authorization, Angela Avery, Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer commented, “This is a common step in the labour negotiation process and was not unexpected. We remain focused on successfully negotiating an agreement that provides value to our airport employees, many of whom have joined WestJet in the last year. In the meantime, we will continue to provide our guests with the friendly and affordable air travel WestJet has always been known for.”
WestJet is committed to competitive compensation that recognize airport employee contributions, while ensuring the airline is positioned to return to profitability, following more than two years of unprecedented financial losses resulting from the pandemic. As the airline rebuilds, the majority of its airports employees have been with the company for less than one year, and the vast majority of more tenured airport employees have received increases through the existing pay step structure, in addition to a Canadian industry leading variable compensation.
As Canadians make their highly anticipated return to travel this summer, the airline is working on precautionary contingency plans, and has identified employees who may be reassigned if required. This preventative measure is in place to ensure critical air service continuity from coast-to-coast and to protect the fragile recovery of Canada’s travel and tourism industry.
WestJet has meticulously planned for summer operations and through proactive efforts to stabilize operations and since the beginning of July leads Canadian operators with a 97.5 per cent completion factor. The airline continues to work closely with the federal government, third-party providers and airport partners to mitigate operational challenges that remain outside of WestJet’s control in this challenging recovery landscape.
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 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 looking, not only for a fair deal that’s right for our members, but for WestJet to comprehend how much of a pressure-cooker atmosphere it is for them.”
Unifor Local 531 โ which represents over 700 baggage service agents, customer service agents and guest service leads, among others, in Calgary and Vancouver airports โ voted to strike by 98%.
(CNW Group/Unifor)
The local held strike votes July 15 and 16, 2022 in Vancouver and July 18 and 19, 2022 in Calgary.
Unifor has been bargaining for nine months, since October 2021, and spent several weeks during that time with a number of conciliators in Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto.
Since air travel began picking up in the spring, WestJet workers have endured verbal abuse and, at times, physical threats from travellers whose flights were delayed or cancelled, even though the workers were not responsible for the company’s decisions.
“We are burnt out,” said Sherwin Antonio, member of the Local 531’s Calgary Bargaining Committee.
“This is the perfect storm of massive worker shortages, lost baggage and flight chaos. The people who get the brunt of the anger aren’t the people in the boardroom, but us. We have been telling the company for months, we need more support. And we need it now.”
Local 531 filed for conciliation with the Canadian government on April 26, 2022, due to the slow pace and lack of process in bargaining.
The union is in a legal strike position beginning July 27, 2022. Prior to taking any strike action, Unifor must serve WestJet with 72 hours’ notice of its intention to strike.
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