A rally is expected to be held at the Vancouver International Airport this morning, demanding that WestJet’s CEO resigns in light of recent sexual assault allegations made by a former flight attendant.
Earlier this month, former WestJet flight attendant Mandalena Lewis filed a civil suit against WestJet, claiming the airline failed to adequately investigate an incident where she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a pilot during a layover in Hawaii in January 2010.
None of the claims have been proven in court.
The international consumer watchdog behind the planned rally, called SumOfUs, says they want CEO Gregg Saretsky to resign.
They say their members will canvass the Vancouver airport on Tuesday morning, highlighting for passengers how WestJet failed to provide a workplace where claims of sexual assault and rape were adequately investigated and employees were protected.
In addition, a mobile billboard will be circling the airport, demanding that WestJet takes employee safety seriously.
“WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky has proven himself unfit to address these concerns and it’s time that he step down and the airline institute a comprehensive overhaul of its sexual harassment and assault policies under the leadership of a new CEO,” said Emma Pullman, lead campaign strategist at SumOfUs, in a release.
The group also launched an online petition, signed by more than 26,000 people at the time of publishing, demanding that WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky steps down.
Meanwhile, WestJet told Global News they agree that employee and guest safety is a serious issue and remain committed to ensuring a safe and harassment-free work environment.
“For this exact reason WestJet’s CEO Gregg Saretsky has reached out to employees to encourage anyone with information to come forward,” said the company in a statement. “We have also engaged Ernst and Young to provide an independent, third-party assessment of WestJet’s current investigative and reporting procedures.”
UPDATE: The company says they have extended an invitation to the group to meet with the senior leadership team. The meeting will be held next Wednesday.