Thousands of people are supporting Mandalena Lewis, a former WestJet flight attendant who has sued the airline for failing to “adequately investigate” an alleged sexual assault.
The organization Sum of Us launched a petition calling for WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky to “immediately step down and ensure charges of rape and sexual assault are thoroughly investigated”. It has gained over 13,000 signatures in less than a day.
“We believe that the CEO is responsible for creating a culture within WestJet that decides whether to respond swiftly to survivors as they come forward, and deal with the claims that they’ve made, or it sides with pilots and decides to sweep things under the rug,” said Emma Pullman, lead campaign strategist for Sum of Us.
Documents filed in B.C. Supreme Court this week says after the alleged incident was reported, WestJet changed Lewis’s work schedule to avoid overlap with the pilot, which left her with fewer working hours. It also alleges that she was instructed to keep quiet out of respect for the pilot’s privacy.
READ MORE: Former flight attendant sues WestJet for negligence after alleged sexual assault by pilot
None of the allegations have been proven in court and WestJet has not filed a statement of defence. Police in Maiu say the case remains open.
In a statement to Global News, a WestJet spokesperson said “we are aware of a petition calling for our president and CEO to resign, however none of the allegations, including those in the petition, have been proven in court.”
– With files from The Canadian Press