New maintenance contract

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johnkruk
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New maintenance contract

Post by johnkruk »

Much coming for the tech ops team ? Seems the WJ payscale is lagging behind by 5-7$/HR.
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billhill
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by billhill »

Lagging behind what? It is an obvious question. The "gold standard"? Which is what exactly. There was a discussion where it was pointed out that in better times a qualified AME made more money than an FO at same company. That certainly does not apply anymore. Wages in this country are a farce.
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AME92
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by AME92 »

Negotiations are set to begin this week between AMFA and WJ
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dontcallmeshirley
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by dontcallmeshirley »

AME92 wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:40 am Negotiations are set to begin this week between AMFA and WJ
Bring some lube and don't forget the safe word!
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johnkruk
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by johnkruk »

Word on the street is 20% , you heard it here first !
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co-joe
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by co-joe »

dontcallmeshirley wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 1:41 pm
AME92 wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:40 am Negotiations are set to begin this week between AMFA and WJ
Bring some lube and don't forget the safe word!
I believe it's "fluggelgleckheimlen", which translates to "lick the wet tadpole". It';s pretty tough to say while biting the pillow though.
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dontcallmeshirley
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by dontcallmeshirley »

co-joe wrote: Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:32 pm
dontcallmeshirley wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 1:41 pm
AME92 wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:40 am Negotiations are set to begin this week between AMFA and WJ
Bring some lube and don't forget the safe word!
I believe it's "fluggelgleckheimlen", which translates to "lick the wet tadpole". It';s pretty tough to say while biting the pillow though.
I appreciate a well placed EuroTrip reference. :smt038
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Bede
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by Bede »

AME's are by far the most underpaid employees in this industry.
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co-joe
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by co-joe »

dontcallmeshirley wrote: Thu Sep 21, 2023 5:32 pm
I appreciate a well placed EuroTrip reference. :smt038
And I appreciate a well place Airplane reference. :lol:
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all_ramped_up
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by all_ramped_up »

Bede wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:48 pm AME's are by far the most underpaid employees in this industry.
Mmm hmm. Very much so. When Rampies south of the border are making Apprentice AME wages even... Big problem.
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boeingboy
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by boeingboy »

Doesn't look like it's going well at all. A strike/Lockout could happen as soon as April 17. I thought after the Pilots contract - the company would be a little more willing to work with their unions.

Really sounds like they are stooping low with the mechanics.
WESTJET PUSHES AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE WORKERS DOWN PATH TOWARD STRIKE OR LOCKOUT

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – February 5, 2024 – On January 26, 2024, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) advised that WestJet Airlines had filed a Notice of Dispute pursuant to Section 71 of the Canada Labour Code relating to the ongoing contract negotiations between the carrier and its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). WestJet filed the notice, without prior consultation with AMFA, after only three negotiation sessions.

Pursuant to WestJet’s Notice of Dispute, the FMCS has placed the parties into a program of mediated negotiations that extends until March 26, 2024. Unless the parties jointly agree to an extension of mediated negotiations, a twenty-one (21) day cooling-off period would then commence, after which the AMEs would be free to strike and WestJet would be free to lock out the AMEs.

On January 30, 2024, federal mediators advised the two parties that a strike by, or lockout of, WestJet aircraft maintenance employees could commence as early as April 17 of this year.

“We consider WestJet’s unilateral filing with the FMCS to have been premature given that we have not even touched upon basic economic issues related to compensation,” commented AMFA National President Bret Oestreich. “However, perhaps it is for the best. WestJet has not been forthcoming at the negotiating table. Some of the carrier’s proposals would actually undercut employee entitlements under the Canada Labour Code. AMEs need to have their working conditions improved, not degraded any further.”

The AMFA-WestJet relationship has been characterized by litigation and workplace disruptions. WestJet has challenged the Canadian Industrial Relations Board’s (CIRB) definition of the AME bargaining unit in a lawsuit currently pending in a federal appeals court. AMFA has filed multiple charges against WestJet before the CIRB concerning bad faith bargaining and the transfer of work outside of the bargaining unit to a new Operations Manager (OM) position.

WestJet managers have recognized the disruptive impact of the company’s actions. In an email dated November 10, 2023, WestJet’s Senior Manager, Labour Relations, Virginia Swindall, sought AMFA’s immediate “intervention in de-escalating” a “serious and emerging concern” relating to its Toronto maintenance operations. According to Swindall, WestJet’s Manager, Line Maintenance, Darren Cook, reported that a Toronto AME was “passionately advising our employees to ‘@#$! the OMs,’ etc.”

“There is a nationwide shortage of qualified Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and WestJet has acknowledged that it has been unable to fill AME vacancies,” observed Oestreich. “WestJet has initiated a program of mandatory overtime and our AMEs are reporting that they are being forced to perform their aircraft maintenance duties in a state of fatigue. It seems like WestJet is looking for a brawl. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.”
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boeingboy
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by boeingboy »

On January 30 - February 1, 2024, WestJet and AMFA representatives met in Vancouver, British Columbia, to continue negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement. The negotiations were led by AMFA Region II Director Will Abbott, AMFA Region I Director Earl Clark, and WestJet Senior Manager, Labour Relations Virginia Swindall. This was the first collective bargaining session attended by two mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) – Michelle D. Glubrecht and Karlene Bateman – who, for the most part, acted as silent observers.

Unfortunately, the process was marked by further indicia of bad faith on the part of the Company, including:

WestJet’s refusal to move off its classifications proposal that would result in the elimination of the existing AML and ICL positions;
WestJet’s rejection of the rationale that AMEs should receive health benefits comparable to the pilot group because our families’ health is of equal importance;
Proposals riddled with terms such as “may” or “at the Company’s discretion” that would render any enforceable contract rights illusory; and,
The peremptory rejection of Union proposals on the grounds that AMEs were not entitled to certain rights or benefits in a “first contract.”
AMFA negotiators painstakingly explained the rationale underlying Union proposals and conscientiously responded to probing questions from their WestJet counterparts. However, when WestJet ALR Ian Evershed posed questions concerning why certain benefits should be withheld from AMEs, he frequently received the acerbic response: “That’s our proposal; you are welcome to submit a counter.”

Notwithstanding the fact that the parties have not yet even touched upon compensation issues, WestJet has refused to agree to negotiating dates beyond an April 2-4 session scheduled for Edmonton. On February 1, Senior Manager, Labour Relations Virginia Swindall advised that “other April dates are outside the current timelines ….”

WestJet’s initiation of mediation, without prior consultation with AMFA, triggered a timeline that allows the carrier to implement a lockout or the Union to commence a strike as early as April 17.

In view of the bad faith exhibited by WestJet, and in particular the carrier's determination to bargain to an impasse on a classification proposal that eliminates job classifications within the union's CIRB-certified bargaining unit, it is AMFA’s position that any ensuing strike or lockout will be an Unfair Labour Practice strike/lockout entitling all affected employees to full make whole relief. Public Service Alliance of Canada, 2022 CIRB 1043 (October 25, 2022).

While we encourage all AMFA members to avoid major purchases or incurring new debt for the next several months, we believe any work stoppage will be brief. Moreover, under the Canadian Labour Code all workers who have struck or have been locked out are entitled to reinstatement upon conclusion of the action.

Stay engaged, remain informed, and continue to support the Negotiating Committee as that support increases the ability to bargain a collective agreement your hard work deserves. Your AMFA representatives will provide regular updates throughout the negotiating process. Thank you for your support.

Fraternally,

AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee
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johnkruk
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by johnkruk »

So management is saying maintenance is already overpaid per industry standard, and maintenance wants 20% minimum increase because the pilots won with there contract. Where does this end ? Will there be a work stoppage with Westjet maintenance ?
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Hugh Jasshole
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by Hugh Jasshole »

WJ maintenance is currently relying on AME's working overtime. If they would refuse overtime, then operations would be severely impacted.
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boeingboy
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by boeingboy »

....
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Last edited by boeingboy on Sat Feb 17, 2024 5:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
boeingboy
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by boeingboy »

So management is saying maintenance is already overpaid per industry standard, and maintenance wants 20% minimum increase because the pilots won with there contract. Where does this end ? Will there be a work stoppage with Westjet maintenance ?
IF they get locked out - then the company will grind to a halt.

They are not overpaid - there are a few with higher payscales, however like pilots they have been underpaid for years. They need to do something - mandatory overtime is ridiculous and a safety concern for all. The release says they haven't even got to payscales yet. The mechanics want better than basic health care.....some health benefits comparable to the pilots.
I cant believe that the company is taking this position after only 3 bargaining sessions. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
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-42
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by -42 »

What a garbage industry really.
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johnkruk
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by johnkruk »

Any updates ? Has the deadline not passed the company set to have something done by ? Are negotiations still continuing ?
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boeingboy
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by boeingboy »

Yea.....shit.
I cant believe they agreed not to strike for a while, and now Westjet is taking them to task. Good for them standing up for themselves.
https://www.amfanational.org/?zone=/uni ... ge=WestJet

NEGOTIATIONS HIT A WALL

The AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee (the “Committee”) is providing this update to the Membership at WestJet, an Alberta Partnership (“WestJet”). This is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications.

As you will recall, Senior Manager, Labour Relations Virginia Swindall, by email dated February 1, 2024, advised, “It is our intention to have a tentative agreement for the Union to recommend to its members not later than April 13.” WestJet subsequently submitted a “comprehensive” proposal that it knew would never be ratified. Indeed, WestJet negotiators expressed dismay that AMFA had disclosed the Company’s wage proposal to the AME group. By contrast, AMFA seeks to bargain in good faith.

On April 10, 2024, AMFA submitted its comprehensive proposal to WestJet. AMFA advised the Company that, if accepted, AMFA would commence the ratification process without delay.

As of noon on April 18, 2024, WestJet had still not provided an economic package to supplant the pre-existing proposal that provided for a reduction in real wages. AMFA brought its economic consultant to review and respond to the WestJet package – but, for nearly the entire week, there was nothing for him to respond to. AMFA then advised that, unless the promised counter was provided by the close of business, it would advise its members that negotiations had stalled. WestJet responded.

WestJet responded with a proposal to increase wages over the next five years at the rates of 4%, 2%, 2%, 2% and 2%. WestJet rejected the inclusion of the ACA premium as component of overtime or WSP. The Company also refused to agree to layoff protection for any current employees and expressly stated that comparable pilot job security provisions would not be extended to AMEs. In terms of scheduling, the Company is seeking a “5 and 2” shift pattern that would have AMEs working on the weekend. WestJet also wants AMEs to bid vacations in seven-day blocks, rather than individual days, in order to maximize your presence in the workplace.

If you feel angry reading this, we are not surprised. We will re-engage tomorrow but are pessimistic about reaching an agreement. In a formal legal submission to a federal court, WestJet represented that the parties would reach an agreement in April. We believe our members and the federal court have been deceived.

AMFA thanks the numerous members who came to negotiations. Your input is valued, and your presence has an impact.

Stay engaged with your Union updates and officers and continue to watch what the Company does rather than what it says in written updates or video messages. Remain informed and continue to support the Negotiating Committee as that support increases the ability to bargain a collective agreement your hard work deserves.

Your AMFA representatives will provide regular updates throughout the negotiating process. Thank you for your support.

Fraternally,

AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee
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Inverted2
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by Inverted2 »

2% raises? That’s a huuuge paycut when inflation and tax increases are way higher. Vote that sucker down!
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boeingboy
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by boeingboy »

Inverted2 wrote: Fri Apr 19, 2024 7:02 am 2% raises? That’s a huuuge paycut when inflation and tax increases are way higher. Vote that sucker down!
No kidding right? It's not even being presented to the group for a vote. The Bargaining unit rejected it outright.
The first offer was 3.5%, 2%, 2%, 1%, 1%

Westjet came up a whole 2.5% over 5 years. Thankfully the pilot group (mainline) got a better deal in short order. I guess they figured if they screwed the Encore pilots - then the AME's would be just as easy. I'm just glad our deal is done.
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YYCAME
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by YYCAME »

Canadian North and Porter AMEs have seen their wages increased to $50+ because of the competition for staff. Air Canada also recently gave out an unprecedented $7.50 an hour (roughly 16%) increase to the top end pay effective immediately outside of the current agreement with the only condition that people accept certain training such as ground run/taxi etc if offered to them in the next couple years. In addition, new hires are being immediately being paid near the top of the pay scale with only a couple years to max out pay instead of the traditional 5 year/step model.

Westjet maintenance is working much harder for less money then anyone else these days and the previous loyalty and goodwill is only going to buy you a certain amount of time in the face of reality.
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co-joe
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by co-joe »

YYCAME wrote: Fri Apr 19, 2024 11:10 am Canadian North and Porter AMEs have seen their wages increased to $50+ because of the competition for staff. Air Canada also recently gave out an unprecedented $7.50 an hour (roughly 16%) increase to the top end pay effective immediately outside of the current agreement with the only condition that people accept certain training such as ground run/taxi etc if offered to them in the next couple years. In addition, new hires are being immediately being paid near the top of the pay scale with only a couple years to max out pay instead of the traditional 5 year/step model.

Westjet maintenance is working much harder for less money then anyone else these days and the previous loyalty and goodwill is only going to buy you a certain amount of time in the face of reality.
What is j-man rate for AMEs at WS if you don't mind putting this in perspective?
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planenuts
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by planenuts »

Paling compared to others out there. Rates are on the rise everywhere as there is a real shortage of AME's in this country. Many are leaving for higher paying jobs in other sectors with much less responsibility. Like everyone else in Canadian aviation....we have been underpaid for far too long. I think the only ones worse off than us industry wide are the cabin attendants.


WJ scale.jpg
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Last edited by planenuts on Tue Apr 23, 2024 12:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
YYCAME
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Re: New maintenance contract

Post by YYCAME »

Maybe someone else can give the exact details but my understanding of it from friends is that Westjet has a much longer progression to get to top rate so a lot of people are paid somewhere in the low 40's per hour.
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