Former employee frustrated as WestJet tries to keep harassment claim out of court

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The former flight attendant at the heart of a harassment lawsuit against WestJet says she’s surprised the airline is still trying to have the case dismissed, but she’s not giving up.

WestJet has filed an appeal after the BC Supreme Court refused to throw out a proposed class-action lawsuit that accuses the company of fostering a corporate culture that tolerates harassment against female employees.

The airline argues Justice Mary Humphries was wrong to have dismissed the company’s application to strike the legal action, repeating its argument that the dispute belongs before a human rights tribunal and workers’ compensation board.

A court document filed last week by WestJet also says the two-year deadline has passed to file a claim and argues the original lawsuit should be put on hold until an appeal is resolved.

Former flight attendant Mandalena Lewis is suing WestJet over allegations of gender-based discrimination, accusing her former employer of breaking its promise to provide a harassment-free workplace for women.

She tells NEWS 1130 she’s even more determined to see this through, not only for herself but for other women she wants to join her. Lewis claims a WestJet pilot kept his job after sexually assaulting her in 2010. “We’re moving forward. This isn’t going to stop anybody and if anything, I hope it does, like, I hope it ticks people off. I hope it becomes a thing with people realizing why is WestJet doing this? Why do they keep fighting these women?”

Lewis has not filed a response to the notice of appeal.

None of the allegations made in the lawsuit have been proven in court.

The lawsuit proposes to represent all of WestJet’s past and current female flight attendants whose employment included a so-called anti-harassment promise, but it has yet to be approved as a class action.

NEWS 1130 reached out to WestJet for a response, but we’ve been told no comments can be made as long as “this matter is before the courts.”.

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