More than 500 WestJet employees in Vancouver and Calgary have unionized with Unifor, saying a change in workplace culture after the airline91裸聊视频檚 sale was a big part of the workplace organization efforts.

The 531 WestJet workers 91裸聊视频� which include airport agents such as customer service workers 91裸聊视频� join more than 7,000 other unionized airline workers with Unifor under carriers like Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz.

91裸聊视频淵ou went from the perception of 91裸聊视频榳e91裸聊视频檙e teammates, it91裸聊视频檚 a family culture,91裸聊视频� to being owned by Onex, which is a huge, huge company,91裸聊视频� said Unifor president Jerry Dias, referencing WestJet91裸聊视频檚 owner, Onex Corp., which acquired the airline nearly two years ago.

91裸聊视频淥nex operated different than the old WestJet for sure, one of the first things that happened was the unilateral outsourcing of so many jobs in some of the smaller bases.91裸聊视频�

The union said the workplace organization efforts will help ensure that senior employees are the first to be called back in an eventual reopening of the airline industry.

WestJet said it has received notice of the union91裸聊视频檚 successful application and will work through the next steps with the national labour board.

91裸聊视频淲estJet respects91裸聊视频痶he individual rights of employees to choose their representation and will continue to work with91裸聊视频痶he Canada Industrial Relations Board to provide the outstanding required information91裸聊视频痠n response to the application,91裸聊视频� said spokeswoman Morgan Bell in an email.

Unifor Organizing Director Kellie Scanlan said conversations with WestJet workers had been going on prior to the pandemic, and moved online after COVID-19 hit.

She said unionization efforts are continuing at WestJet91裸聊视频檚 bases in Toronto and Edmonton as well.

91裸聊视频淲e feel very optimistic about the future of both of those places,91裸聊视频� said Scanlan, who said they91裸聊视频檙e working on getting more membership cards signed.

91裸聊视频淭his win shows WestJet workers across Canada that they too can gain a voice in the workplace.91裸聊视频�

The union said workplace organization has been part of the successful lobbying effort for financial support for the airline industry from the federal government amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sherwin Antonio, a customer service agent with WestJet in Calgary, said the unionization will help protect workers during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

91裸聊视频淭his last year has been extremely difficult for WestJet employees,91裸聊视频� said Antonio.

91裸聊视频淏eing part of a union will essentially put in place rules and processes for how a growing company handles such difficult times, to ensure fairness and respect for all in the workplace.91裸聊视频�

The union filed their application to the Canada Industrial Relations Board last month, and the board certified Unifor as the bargaining agent for the workers on Thursday.

Unifor is one of Canada91裸聊视频檚 largest private sector union and represents more than 300,000 workers across the country. It represents more than 16,000 workers across the aviation industry.

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