Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[btimbit]

Details of the tentative agreement

-Immediate 15.5% increase without any shifting of monies from the WestJet Savings Plan (WSP)
-Out year pay increases of 3.25%, 2.5%, 2.5%, 2.5% over the 5-year term
-Overtime beyond eight hours within a pay period paid at a 1.75 X rate

https://www.amfanational.org/index.c...&HomeID=923856

Looks pretty solid, to my knowledge the last offer from WestJet was a 22% total increase in pay spread over 4 years, but at a 50% cut of WSP. A smaller wage increase with no WSP cut is a huge win, even with only getting very small yearly increases after that

Upon a quick first glance, seems fair to both parties

[Fuzz]

So those 2.5% years, that's essentially accepting no raises if inflation is around 2.5%, right? Or are their other ways to get a pay raise?

[edslunch]

1.75x overtime is unusual

[RichieRich]

Well let’s see how this WJ ultrabasic goes for me…
Ended up paying approx double original cost (that was cancelled late last night).

Any word on how long WJ takes to refund? Do I have to apply for the refund? Can I claim the extra costs against WJ or travel/trip interruption insurance?

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

So those 2.5% years, that's essentially accepting no raises if inflation is around 2.5%, right? Or are their other ways to get a pay raise?

Well they’re getting a 15% increase in year one so when you consider the compounding those increases are far ahead of the (expected) rate of inflation

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Well let’s see how this WJ ultrabasic goes for me…
Ended up paying approx double original cost (that was cancelled late last night).

Any word on how long WJ takes to refund? Do I have to apply for the refund? Can I claim the extra costs against WJ or travel/trip interruption insurance?

Westjet should have been responsible for rebooking you, no? What did they say when you rebooked with westjet ultrabasic?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

Well they’re getting a 15% increase in year one so when you consider the compounding those increases are far ahead of the (expected) rate of inflation

I assumed the 15% was to bring them up to a current acceptable wage, given recent inflation probably being way higher than had bene calculated in their last contract.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I assumed the 15% was to bring them up to a current acceptable wage, given recent inflation probably being way higher than had bene calculated in their last contract.

This is their first collective agreement

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Since WJ does profit sharing, yeah pretty much

That is why I said wages and not bonus/total compensation.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

And if there are no profits, do wages go down?

Are the profits gone because the work isn’t being performed properly or because the company isn’t being managed properly?

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I assumed the 15% was to bring them up to a current acceptable wage, given recent inflation probably being way higher than had bene calculated in their last contract.

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

This is their first collective agreement

Still, pretty much what fuzz said. That original 15% just puts them a little ahead of what Air Canada pays

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Still, pretty much what fuzz said. That original 15% just puts them a little ahead of what Air Canada pays

For sure it gives them a solid initial bump, I was just clarifying that it wasn’t a renewal.

Moral of the story for workers: When your employer tells you that unionizing would be worse for you than trying crystal meth, just trust that they’re looking out for what’s best for you.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

Are the profits gone because the work isn’t being performed properly or because the company isn’t being managed properly?

Does it matter? I didn't see a condition on profits going towards share buybacks, why would the reason for lack of profits matter?

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Does it matter? I didn't see a condition on profits going towards share buybacks, why would the reason for lack of profits matter?

Because if the going rate for the labour is x and it’s being performed well but the company is struggling financially due to mismanagement I’m not sure a)why the workers should be on the hook for that and b)how that company is gonna be in a better position when all the workers leave for elsewhere to get the going rate.

Now if the company isn’t profitable simply due to the fact that they’re paying well above the industry standards then it could be a case where that needs to be looked at.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

And if there are no profits, do wages go down?

Executive pay doesn't, so why should the workers'?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Executive pay doesn't, so why should the workers'?

Thanks for answering the question by not answering the question.

[btimbit]

They'd just lay people off in that scenario anyway

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

Westjet should have been responsible for rebooking you, no? What did they say when you rebooked with westjet ultrabasic?

That’s what I’d like to believe too. I attempted all the online mechanisms … and failed to get anywhere. Could not reach a human on the phone despite trying 11pm, 1130, and then just after midnight. Then had a really crappy sleep.

FromWJ email: “ Unfortunately, we do not have another WestJet or partner airline flight to offer within 48 hours of your original departure. As a next step, you can use our online self-serve Manage Trips tool or contact us via your preferred method to view alternate flight options or request a refund. “

So in other words they cancelled, did not rebook me, said I’m on my own. Nothing since then either. So I was up super early and self booked the last remaining cheap seat for the remainder of the week. Hope this doesn’t get cancelled either. At least I have free accoms where I’m visiting.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

That’s what I’d like to believe too. I attempted all the online mechanisms … and failed to get anywhere. Could not reach a human on the phone despite trying 11pm, 1130, and then just after midnight. Then had a really crappy sleep.

FromWJ email: “ Unfortunately, we do not have another WestJet or partner airline flight to offer within 48 hours of your original departure. As a next step, you can use our online self-serve Manage Trips tool or contact us via your preferred method to view alternate flight options or request a refund. “

So in other words they cancelled, did not rebook me, said I’m on my own. Nothing since then either. So I was up super early and self booked the last remaining cheap seat for the remainder of the week. Hope this doesn’t get cancelled either. At least I have free accoms where I’m visiting.

Do you then rebook yourself on the most expensive flight you can? I wonder if price gouging is going by othwr airlines just to screw WJ if they have to comp those flights.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Do you then rebook yourself on the most expensive flight you can? I wonder if price gouging is going by othwr airlines just to screw WJ if they have to comp those flights.

That’s an approach some may choose to take that I consider far too risky to take (plus doesn’t align with my morals).

I would suggest, without any proof, that not being not does WJ take advantage of it subsequently but all other modes of transport and carriers do so.