Meet Your 2025 President Candidates

It has been the greatest honour of my career to serve as your President for Unifor Local 531. Over this past term, I have had the privilege of guiding, supporting, and advocating for our members across all three bases. I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me.  As Brené Brown reminds us, “Daring means I know I will eventually fail, and I’m still all in.” This is the spirit I have carried throughout my leadership, and it is the spirit I bring forward as I seek re-election to serve you once more. I am still all in!

After nearly 12 years in the operation as a CSA, I’ve witnessed countless changes—but one constant remains: the resilience and dedication of the people who keep this airline moving every day, often under challenging conditions. From the very beginning, I have been driven to stand up for our members — my coworkers, my friends. When the company was sold to a private equity firm and our job security was at risk, I refused to stand by. Alongside a small group of passionate coworkers, I helped organize and certify our base with Unifor, protecting our jobs from further erosion through contracting out and cost-cutting. That experience cemented my belief in the power of collective action and in what we can achieve together when we stand united. This isn’t just a job for me—it’s a community I care deeply about and will continue to defend with integrity and passion.

Looking ahead, 2026 bargaining will be a pivotal moment for our Local Union. Having been elected to the bargaining committee in 2021, negotiated our first collective agreement in 2022, and lived it over the past three years, I know what has worked, what hasn’t, and what must change. My experience and knowledge give me the strategic understanding to push for changes we desperately need, not maintain status quo. Our current collective agreement no longer meets the needs of our members, the realities of our economy, or the increasing workload you face every day. In 2026, I will fight for wages that keep pace with inflation, working conditions that reduce stress and injury, and job protections that ensure your hard work is respected and valued. You deserve a leader who can navigate complex bargaining and company relations while driving meaningful improvements. Having spent time with hundreds of members across all three bases over the past three years, I understand what matters most to you and I am committed to fighting for the changes you deserve.  

To ensure we are ready, informed and united when we return to the bargaining table in 2026, preparation is key, and I already have a plan in place. I initiated the 2026 Bargaining Feedback Form posted in all our bases that has already generated hundreds of responses, giving me clear insight into what you value in the current agreement and what must change. I have meticulously tracked every issue, challenge, and language interpretation conflict with the company, ensuring that when we enter bargaining in 2026, we have a comprehensive, member-driven foundation to negotiate effectively and challenge the company where needed. In Q1, we will elect our new Bargaining Committee, to reflect the diversity, needs and experience of our membership. In Q2, we’ll provide comprehensive bargaining training to equip the team with the tools and knowledge needed to negotiate effectively and confidently. Then, in Q3, we’ll turn our focus to the membership through townhalls, surveys, and direct engagement—gathering real feedback and priorities from every base so your voices directly shape our proposals. By Q4, when formal bargaining begins, we will be fully prepared—armed with data, member-driven priorities, and a unified vision for progress. This fulsome, strategic plan ensures we negotiate from a position of strength and clarity. I am steadfast in my approach and it’s time to build on our foundation with experience and a clear plan that delivers real results for our members in 2026 and beyond.

As President, I have been instrumental in building our Local from the ground up—developing structure, processes, and policies that ensure transparency, advocacy and accountability. The opening of our first union office in YYC stands as a symbol of that progress—a dedicated home for members and a space for engagement made possible through my persistent advocacy at the national level. I have also led the expansion of workplace representation, our Women’s Advocate program, trained dozens of new workplace reps, launched the Solidari-Tea newsletter and grown our website to ensure members are always informed, connected, and empowered.

When our members faced extreme workloads, snowstorms, hailstorms, a strike and operational chaos, I fought to ensure those efforts were recognized—securing a monetary bonus outside our collective agreement language and 99% off flights. I have represented members in hundreds of investigations, grievances and arbitrations, achieving settlements for wrongful terminations, unpaid overtime, unjust discipline and accommodations under the Human Rights Act. Every action I take is guided by one principle: our members’ rights come first.

As a new Local, we faced limited resources and growing pains. Through strategic planning and responsible financial management, we have been able to strengthen the resources available to our members and build a more sustainable foundation for the union.  I haven’t always gotten it right — and I acknowledge it openly and carry that responsibility seriously.  I am committed to continually finding ways to grow our resources, improve our response times, and better support all our members. Under my leadership, I’ve worked hard to improve union accessibility, particularly in Calgary. We introduced over 70 elected Workplace Representative positions across all bases—empowering members with stronger on-site support, visibility, and advocacy. In addition, we established a second dedicated, permanent union position reporting directly to the YYC Unit Chair. This role provides consistent, day-to-day assistance to members, ensuring inquiries are addressed promptly, accurately, and efficiently. While the 70 Workplace Representatives strengthen our presence and engagement across the network, this permanent YYC position provides the stability and continuity needed to ensure member concerns are resolved in real time at our biggest base.  

My labour relations and union experience extends beyond our Local. I have proudly represented our members on the Unifor BC Regional Council and the Unifor Aviation Council—first as Member-at-Large and now as Vice-Chair—bringing your voices to national forums. I also serve on the Company Policy Committee, ensuring health and safety remain at the forefront of the company’s decisions. Over the past 3 years I have continued to expand my knowledge and experience through Unifor education opportunities including Women’s Activist, Conflict Resolution and Human Rights.  I have participated in many aviation summits, legislature sessions, union leadership webinars, and councils which have further developed my skills to lead our members through the challenges and adversity we face on a daily basis.  

I’ve grown as a leader, advocate, and ally because of you. Together, we’ve built something strong from the ground up, and I am energized for what’s ahead—especially as we move toward 2026 bargaining. I have learned from you, leaned on you, and led with passion, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. While we have achieved a great deal together, there is still so much more ahead. I remain deeply committed to protecting our members, advancing equity, and leading with authenticity, accountability, and heart.

I love this union.  I love this work. I’m not running to maintain what we’ve built – I’m running to change it and strengthen it, and it would be a tremendous honour to continue walking this path alongside you. With your continued support, I will lead our team into 2026 bargaining and beyond with determination and grit, leveraging the knowledge and experience I have gained as your first president.  Together, we can keep building a union that not only protects our jobs but advances our collective power and shapes a better future of all members of Unifor Local 531.  

In Solidarity, 
Karen Berry, President Unifor Local 531

With nearly a decade at WestJet, I’ve worked on the frontlines across multiple roles — from ramp agent to tow team, DDC, CSA, GSL, and now IROP Coordinator. My journey represents the hard work, dedication, and challenges faced by every member of our airline family. As Co-Chair of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for over four years, I’ve been a constant advocate for safe workplaces, fair treatment, and stronger communication between management and employees. Now, I’m running for President to bring real action, not just talk — ensuring fair wages that reflect our cost of living, safer working conditions, transparent communication, and equal representation for all bases: YYC, YVR, and YYZ. Together, we can strengthen our union’s voice and build a future where every member feels heard, respected, and supported.