u/flightpr1nce

WestJet Cabin Crew - Since our collective agreement came into effect in 2021, I’ve flown 858 flights. According to my Flighty stats, 471 of those flights (55%) were delayed, resulting in 280 hours of unpaid time from delays alone.

At my rate of pay, that’s $12,468.40 in lost wages… And that’s just delays. It doesn’t include reporting an 1hr to an 1.15hrs early for every flight. It doesn’t include pre-flight safety and security checks, crew briefings, boarding hundreds of passengers a day, assisting guests with reduced mobility, conducting safety demonstrations, managing ground emergencies, deplaning, or completing post-flight duties. Those hours are required. They are safety-critical. Yet much of that time remains unpaid.

For some Canadians, $12,468 is nearly half a year’s worth of income. For me, it’s time I can never get back. Since 2019, the cost of living in Canada has increased by approximately 20%, significantly eroding workers’ purchasing power (Bank of Canada, n.d.). Meanwhile, the starting wage for a junior WestJet Cabin Crew Member has increased from $26.94 in 2021 to $28.88 today, an increase of just $1.94 per hour, or approximately 7.2% over the life of the agreement. Inflation has outpaced those wage increases, meaning many junior crew members have effectively lost purchasing power despite nominal wage growth.

This isn’t about wanting special treatment.

It’s about recognizing that flight attendants are trained safety professionals. We are responsible for evacuations, medical emergencies, onboard security, security searches, and the safety of hundreds of passengers every day. That responsibility begins long before the aircraft pushes back and doesn’t end until the last passenger has safely deplaned.

With 6 days remaining in conciliation between WestJet and CUPE Local 8125, we’re asking for something that most Canadians already assume already exists:

Pay us for the work we’re required to perform.

If you believe people should be paid for every hour they work, please take a moment to learn more and support our campaign: endunpaidwork.ca

WestJet Cabin Crew - Since our collective agreement came into effect in 2021, I’ve flown 858 flights. According to my Flighty stats, 471 of those flights (55%) were delayed, resulting in 280 hours of unpaid time from delays alone.

At my rate of pay, that’s $12,468.40 in lost wages… And that’s just delays. It doesn’t include reporting an 1hr to an 1.15hrs early for every flight. It doesn’t include pre-flight safety and security checks, crew briefings, boarding hundreds of passengers a day, assisting guests with reduced mobility, conducting safety demonstrations, managing ground emergencies, deplaning, or completing post-flight duties. Those hours are required. They are safety-critical. Yet much of that time remains unpaid.

For some Canadians, $12,468 is nearly half a year’s worth of income. For me, it’s time I can never get back. Since 2019, the cost of living in Canada has increased by approximately 20%, significantly eroding workers’ purchasing power (Bank of Canada, n.d.). Meanwhile, the starting wage for a junior WestJet Cabin Crew Member has increased from $26.94 in 2021 to $28.88 (per flight hour) today, an increase of just $1.94 per hour, or approximately 7.2% over the life of the agreement. Inflation has outpaced those wage increases, meaning many junior crew members have effectively lost purchasing power despite nominal wage growth.

This isn’t about wanting special treatment. It’s about recognizing that flight attendants are trained safety professionals. We are responsible for evacuations, medical emergencies, onboard security, security searches, and the safety of hundreds of passengers every day. That responsibility begins long before the aircraft pushes back and doesn’t end until the last passenger has safely deplaned.

With 6 days remaining in conciliation between WestJet and CUPE Local 8125, we’re asking for something that most Canadians already assume already exists: Pay us for the work we’re required to perform.

If you believe people should be paid for every hour they work, please take a moment to learn more and support our campaign: endunpaidwork.ca