WestJet, the second-largest airline in Canada, has been directed by the British Columbia Supreme Court to submit detailed harassment complaint files as part of a class-action lawsuit. The case, filed in 2016, alleges that WestJet failed to fulfill its contractual obligation to provide a safe and harassment-free workplace for its flight attendants.
Background on the Lawsuit
The lawsuit centers on allegations of misconduct by male pilots toward female flight attendants, claiming that the airline did not adequately address harassment complaints. The B.C. Supreme Court criticized WestJet for its slow and “potentially adversarial” approach in producing necessary documents, delaying the trial process.
Justice Jacqueline Hughes emphasized that the airline’s inability to provide these files in a timely manner raises concerns about its transparency and commitment to addressing workplace safety.
Court Orders and Key Rulings
- Scope of Complaints: WestJet is required to hand over all harassment-related complaints filed between April 4, 2014, and February 28, 2021, regardless of whom they involve.
- Deadline: The airline has been given 45 days, considering the holiday season, to produce the requested documents.
- Broader Relevance: The court rejected the airline’s attempt to narrow the scope of document production to only class members, noting that the power imbalance central to the case is relevant across the organization.
Justice Hughes stated:
“It remains unclear how the plaintiff says WestJet’s alleged failure to provide a harassment-free workplace for, e.g., mechanics, is relevant to whether WestJet breached the anti-harassment promise in class members’ employment contracts. While the power imbalance allegedly created by that particular relationship clearly plays a central role in the plaintiff’s claim, I find that it is not limited to only those complaints.”
Findings and Delays
Complaints Submitted to Date
WestJet has only provided 24 complaints to the court, but internal statistics suggest significantly more files exist.
Key Figures
- 2018: 16 complaints, including allegations of sexual harassment or assault, were filed in the first quarter.
- 2022: 19 similar complaints were made during the first quarter.
Training Gaps
The investigation also revealed outdated anti-harassment policies and insufficient training for staff, contributing to systemic issues.
Trial Delays
Due to WestJet’s slow production of documents, the trial has been postponed until at least October 2025, further delaying justice for the affected flight attendants.
WestJet’s Current Operations
Founded in 1994 and operational since 1996, WestJet is based in Calgary, Alberta. It operates a vast network of domestic, short-haul international, and long-haul international flights.
Key Hubs
- Primary: Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
- Secondary: Vancouver (YVR), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ), St. John’s (YYT), and Winnipeg (YWG).
Network and Partnerships
Though not a member of any global airline alliance, WestJet has interline agreements with several carriers, allowing it to expand connectivity beyond its network.
The B.C. Supreme Court’s ruling puts WestJet under pressure to provide long-overdue transparency regarding harassment complaints.
The case highlights the importance of corporate accountability in ensuring workplace safety. As the trial progresses, the focus will remain on whether the airline adequately fulfilled its contractual obligations to its employees.
FAQ
1. What is the lawsuit against WestJet about?
The class-action lawsuit alleges that WestJet breached its contracts with flight attendants by failing to ensure a harassment-free workplace, particularly involving misconduct by male pilots.
2. Why has the court criticized WestJet?
The B.C. Supreme Court criticized WestJet for delays and an adversarial approach in producing harassment-related documents.
3. What documents has WestJet been ordered to provide?
WestJet must submit all harassment complaints filed between April 4, 2014, and February 28, 2021, including those involving non-class members.
4. How many complaints have been provided so far?
WestJet has submitted 24 complaints, though internal records suggest many more exist.
5. When is the trial expected to begin?
The trial has been delayed to at least October 2025 due to WestJet’s slow document production process.