WestJet agrees to pay settlement in sexual harassment suit

WestJet has agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle a sexual harassment class-action lawsuit launched a decade ago involving more than 3,000 flight attendants, according to the lead plaintiff and her lawyer.

They say a B.C. judge on Monday approved the terms of the settlement, which were finalized in June. WestJet said in a statement it is "pleased" to have reached a settlement.

Former flight attendant Mandalena Lewis alleged that a pilot sexually assaulted her on a layover in Hawaii in 2010. After launching a lawsuit in 2016, other women who worked for the airline came forward and the case was certified as a class action by the B.C. Court of Appeal in 2022.

The flight attendants allege WestJet failed to provide a safe workplace with adequate anti-harassment measures.

Lewis told CBC News on Wednesday she is relieved the case is done with, but doesn't feel like the plaintiffs got "full justice." She said she is feeling deflated by the "symbolic" dollar amount and the fact that WestJet did not admit wrongdoing under the terms of the agreement.

"It's the best we could get given the circumstances. I had to fight tooth and nail for these slivers," Lewis said.

Female flight attendants say WestJet policies failed to protect them. A court will rule on a settlement

Court orders WestJet to hand over flight attendant harassment files in class-action lawsuit

The $4.5 million will be distributed among 3,452 flight attendants after expenses are deducted, including legal fees.

She said that works out to about $400 for each flight attendant involved in the suit.

Lewis says the judge also reduced her honorarium that was agreed to be paid out in the settlement, to $10,000 from $20,000.

"At the end of the day, I'm glad this is over, I am glad we set a legal precedent. I'm not glad with the number, I don't think it's enough."

WestJet said in an email to CBC News it is "committed to strengthening our operations and training, focused on the safety and well-being of all WestJetters" and "focused on advancing a culture of empowerment."

Under the terms of the settlement, WestJet is to retain a third-party consultant to conduct a workplace assessment to determine the prevalence of harassment in the workplace, the extent of underreporting and how to make reporting and response systems more effective.