Local 531 Elections: Bargaining Committee 2026 - Nomination Acceptance Period Now Open

Serving on the Bargaining Committee requires significant commitment. 

Feedback sessions will begin in June 2026, and negotiations will begin in October 2026. 

Members hoping to serve on the Bargaining Committee should commit to maintaining eligibility and availability for the next year or more until the bargaining process is complete. Non-emergency leaves of absences would be inappropriate from March 2026 - March 2027 and not accommodatable. Bargaining Committee members must be aware that any scheduled vacation time plotted October to December 2026 and potentially Jan-March 2027 will need to be rescheduled due to the importance of the bargaining work to be completed. 

Bargaining Committee members may be away from home for extended periods of time and sometimes with limited notice, and will be required to work in the WestJet Operation when not in active bargaining. Those who are considering running for these positions need to consider the impact this specific 3-6 month time period at the negotiation table will have on their personal lives due to this travel. 

Weekends, evenings, early mornings, and late nights should be expected at a standard rate of 8h pay/day at your regular dedicated role wage rate.

Members must uphold confidentiality and respect for the bargaining process through-out.

The Bargaining Committee for Local 531 will consist of the following members which are in compliance with our Local Union Bylaws as well as the language outlined in our current CBA in Union Release Time. 

Each of these representatives will hold voice and vote at the bargaining table:

• President
• The Unit Chairs from each base (YVR, YYZ, YYC)
• 1 elected representative from each base (YVR, YYZ, YYC)
• *The committee will also require one (1) elected alternate member from each base, exercising voice and vote ONLY in the absence of a primary representative from their base.

• Nominations and elections for these base representatives will be conducted through the Simply Voting platform.
• The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in each base will become the primary representative for that base. 
• The candidate receiving the second-highest number of votes will serve as the alternate.
• Each base will conduct its own separate nomination campaign and vote for its representative.