6,900 Employees Depart WestJet

Yesterday (March 24), WestJet announced that 6,900 employees are leaving the organization — with 90% of those leaving voluntarily — resulting in the same amount of staff the airline had in 2003.

“6,900 WestJetters are receiving notices confirming early retirements, early outs and both voluntary and involuntary leaves,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “This is devastating news for all WestJetters. The fact that we avoided a potentially worse outcome is testament to the spirit and selfless attitude demonstrated by our people, who have enabled WestJet to continue operating with a collective remaining workforce of 7,100.”

The airline had approximately 14,000 employees prior to the announcement.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, WestJet implemented immediate cost-cutting measures including releasing more than 80% of its contract workforce, instituting a hiring freeze, stopping all non-essential travel and training, suspending any internal role movements and salary adjustments, pausing more than 75 % of its capital projects and asking suppliers for a reduction or delay in payments. The airline’s executive team took a 50% pay cut, while vice-presidents and directors have taken a 25% pay cut.

Last week, WestJet asked its team to “support the survival of the airline” by selecting options including unpaid leave of absence, early retirement, voluntary resignation, reduced work week or reduced pay.

“It is through these WestJetters’ sacrifices that we can preserve a core of people who will remain employed to prepare for the moment when the situation stabilizes, and we can look to rise again,” said Sims.

WestJet has also been working closely with its unions and employee associations who have collaborated to help achieve the necessary levels of voluntary leaves and salary cuts.

“We could not have achieved what was required without the support and collaboration of our union leadership and the leaders of our employee associations,” Sims continued.

WestJet is actively engaged with all levels of government in a shared commitment to minimizing impacts of this crisis and continues to press upon government the depth of the impact.