If there’s anything we’ve learned this past week, it’s that Porter can make changes to our working conditions whenever they want – to make them better, or worse.
By now, you’ve probably seen the news that Porter will be making significant changes to our working conditions.
We’ve already heard serious concerns from many of you about the new 24-hour reserve policy, which could make it very difficult for many of you to manage your work-life balance and hold a second job.
We also know Porter is giving cabin crew in B Scale a nice wage bump. This is great news, and it’s solid proof that our efforts to organize and form a union are already paying off – because there is no chance Porter would be making these kinds of improvements to wages if they weren’t being pressured by our drive for a union.
It also proves that Porter is more than capable of giving its employees a fair wage increase.
But here’s the catch. Without a union (and an enforceable collective agreement), anything Porter gives out today, they can take away tomorrow. That’s just the sad reality.
Employers always float wage increases and new perks when they’re under pressure from union drives, only to claw them back later.
The company is hoping their promise of a wage bump for some employees today will distract from the unfair changes they’re making to the reserve policy and increasing the length of your duty day without a comparable duty premium. WestJet flight attendants, for example, who are represented by CUPE, receive a $200 duty premium for minutes 1-60 beyond a maximum duty period and $400 for minutes 61-120 after that.
Porter talks a lot about how these new changes finally bring the company in line with industry standards. But we don’t want to simply carry on chasing industry standards – we want to set our own, and with a union, we can.
Without a union, Porter can give, but they can also take away.
With a union, Porter won’t be able to make changes to our contract or take away our hard-fought wins arbitrarily. With a union, we’ll have a strong, united voice, and an enforceable contract to protect and advance our working conditions.
Let’s show the company we’re determined to have a voice. If you haven’t already, sign your card today.
And if you have signed your card, encourage your friends and coworkers to sign theirs too!