Shortly after the union representing WestJet Encore pilots issued a 72-hour strike notice on 29MAY, WestJet management retaliated by issuing an advance lockout notice to the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). Unless a deal is reached, that means a work stoppage could occur as early as Saturday, 01JUN, 2024, at 6 p.m. MT.
On 02 APR, 97% of Encore pilots had voted in favour of a strike but had reached a tentative deal on 15APR.
WestJet said it hopes once again to avoid major disruption, but a strike would hinder travel in western Canada and perhaps cause pax to opt for other airlines or other means of transportation.
WestJet officials said a lockout notice does not mean travel disruption will occur.
However, in the coming days, the airline said it will take all necessary actions to manage the impact, including:
- Beginning preparations to operate a reduced WestJet Encore schedule.
- Proactively managing changes and cancellations to ensure the ability to communicate with guests in advance of their flight.
- Providing flexible change and cancel options for those who wish to make alternative arrangements.
It’s not clear when talks between the two sides might resume, but time is obviously running out.
“The decision to issue notice was not made lightly, and we sincerely apologize for the uncertainty this causes for our guests and the Western Canadian regions that rely on WestJet Encore service. We are hopeful that guest disruption can still be prevented,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airline and Group Chief Operating Officer. “Our tentative agreement represented a robust negotiation process that got us to our final offer. Given this, over the past two weeks, we have been working diligently to understand where we could better align priorities within the financial framework presented.
“Unfortunately, given the pace of progress and our steadfast priority to protect the summer travel plans of Canadians, a lockout notice was required to provide certainty for our guests and employees by bringing this to a final resolution,” he said.
The WestJet Group has been in active labour negotiations with ALPA since the fall of 2023. The rejected tentative agreement presented an offer that would make WestJet Encore pilots the highest-paid regional pilots in Canada while delivering industry-leading work-life balance standards and commitments to career progression.
“We sincerely value our Encore pilots and the service they facilitate, which enables us to provide critical air connectivity to regional communities across Western Canada. We are unwaveringly committed to reaching an agreement to prevent travel disruption; however, we are equally committed to holding firm on what is reasonable as we cannot sacrifice our ability to provide affordable air travel for the millions of guests and communities we serve or our responsibility to provide job security for our employees across the WestJet Group,” said Pen.
The union disagrees.
“After two weeks of bargaining following the pilots’ rejection of a tentative agreement (TA), some progress has been made; however, both sides remain apart on addressing the issues of central importance to the pilot group,” ALPA said in a press release.
“After eight months of negotiating, and a failed TA, unfortunately management has not recognized the pilots’ needs. We have expressed to management that we are willing to work with them to further address the issues that clearly remain for our pilots,” said Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore ALPA Master Executive Council. “Until WestJet Encore management negotiates a contract that recognizes the current labour market conditions in Canada’s airline industry, and addresses the needs of our pilots, management will continue to struggle to attract and retain the well-trained, highly skilled pilots required to help our airline be successful.”
“Flight disruptions are never an ideal outcome for any pilot or their passengers. Our goal has never been to strike; our goal remains to negotiate a fair contract that works for both parties,” Kenny continued. “However, we are ready for all outcomes, should the Company continue to ignore the value and experience we bring to our airline and ignore what is required to ensure that current and future pilots see the WestJet Group as a career destination.”
WestJet said fliers and agents should visit its Guest Updates page for more information about flight status, travel changes, and applicable dates for flexible change and cancel options.
