WestJet announces organizational changes, more layoffs
Posted Jun 24, 2020 12:29 pm.
Last Updated Jun 24, 2020 3:22 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – WestJet has announced more layoffs as part of what they call major organizational changes.
The company said more than 3,300 employees will be permanently laid off.
In a video message posted to Twitter, CEO Ed Sims, said the airline will consolidate call centre activity in Alberta, restructure its office and management staff and contract out operations at all but four of the 38 Canadian airports where it operates.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis we have had to make many challenging decisions. Today is the toughest of all of these difficult days as we look to provide thousands of our own employees with clarity on their roles at WestJet and the future of our airline. https://t.co/Cz5mG5HRma pic.twitter.com/7UZvxNA9Ov
— WestJet (@WestJet) June 24, 2020
Sims added they will try to re-hire most of those who have lost their jobs.
“In regards to those airport operation roles, we will seek to find a suitable partner who can provide high airport service levels, through their commitment to hire as many of our affected WestJetters as possible.”
The pandemic has seen the airline park two-thirds of its fleet after border shutdowns prompted it to suspend most of its schedule — including all international trips — in late March.
The company says COVID-19 has reduced its scheduled operations by more than 90 per cent.
