Canada’s WestJet has announced a series of changes to the organisation’s structure on 24 June, including cuts to 3,333 employees.
The company’s CEO, Ed Sims, called the decision “difficult, but essential”, adding that the move was necessary “to provide security to our remaining 10,000 WestJetters, and to carry on the work of transforming our business”.
Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, the airline has had to ground nearly two-thirds its fleet after border shutdowns prompted it to suspend most of its schedule — including all international trips — in late March. Accounting for the latest cuts, costs have also been slashed by around 60 per cent.
The cuts will affect employees across its operation, including customer support agents, airport operations, and its office and management staff.
“The good news is flight attendants are not affected at all by this,” said Chris Rauenbusch, president of Canada’s Union of Public Employees, in a phone interview with the Globe and Mail.
