WestJet has agreed to a $4.5 million settlement to resolve a sexual harassment class-action lawsuit involving over 3,000 flight attendants that was initiated ten years ago. The lead plaintiff and her legal representative confirmed that a British Columbia judge approved the settlement terms this week, which were officially concluded in June. WestJet expressed satisfaction with the settlement, stating it is pleased with the resolution.
The lawsuit stemmed from former flight attendant Mandalena Lewis’s claim of a sexual assault by a pilot in Hawaii during a layover in 2010. Subsequently, in 2016, additional female employees from the airline joined the lawsuit, leading to its certification as a class action by the B.C. Court of Appeal in 2022. The flight attendants alleged that WestJet had failed to establish a safe work environment with adequate measures to prevent harassment.
Mandalena Lewis expressed relief that the case has come to a close but voiced disappointment that the plaintiffs did not receive what she considered “full justice.” She indicated feeling disheartened by the symbolic nature of the financial settlement and WestJet’s lack of admission of wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
The $4.5 million settlement will be divided among 3,452 flight attendants after deducting expenses, including legal fees, resulting in an approximate payout of $400 per flight attendant involved in the lawsuit. Lewis also mentioned that the judge reduced her honorarium from the agreed $20,000 to $10,000, emphasizing her discontent with the settlement amount.
WestJet communicated to CBC News via email its commitment to enhancing operational and training practices to prioritize the safety and well-being of its employees, aiming to foster a culture of empowerment within the company. As per the settlement terms, WestJet will engage a third-party consultant to conduct a workplace assessment to evaluate the prevalence of harassment, underreporting, and improve reporting and response systems effectiveness.
Describing the legal process as a “nightmare,” Lewis detailed the toll that supporting former flight attendants and navigating their sexual harassment experiences took on her physically and emotionally. She underscored that the harassment faced by female flight attendants is a deeply ingrained issue within the airline industry, advocating for change to protect current and future employees.
Furthermore, Joshua Coratti, an associate lawyer at Ball Professional Corporation in Toronto, regarded the settlement as advantageous for WestJet, absolving the company of individual liability claims that could have been more financially burdensome. He highlighted that while individual plaintiffs may receive less in class-action lawsuits, such resolutions can deter companies from engaging in similar violations in the future.