WestJet's Saretsky takes on unionization drives in email to staff

After its pilots joined the Air Line Pilots Association in May, WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky is pushing back against the potential unionization of the airline’s flight attendants.

The Canadian Press reported that WestJet staff received an email from the CEO last week, warning flight attendants that organizing would result in union dues cutting into their paycheques. In addition, the report said that the email states five unions are currently eyeing the potential membership of WestJet’s flight attendants, including the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Unifor, the United Steelworkers, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the WestJet Professional Flight Attendants Association.

In May, WestJet pilots voted 62 per cent in favour of unionization.