WestJet pilots issue 72-hour strike notice after failing to reach deal, airline announces lockout | 24CA News
WestJet pilots on Monday issued a 72-hour strike discover to the airline’s administration and the federal authorities, beginning a remaining countdown for walkouts as contract talks drag on.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA, which represents some 1,600 flight crew at WestJet and subsidiary Swoop, stated in an announcement it was poised to subject the discover over the weekend however delayed doing so to permit negotiations to proceed.
The delay gave each side time to assessment extra proposals, the union added.
“While progress was made on most non-cost items, both sides have been unable to reach an agreement that will serve the best interests of all parties involved,” the assertion stated.
Pilots at the moment are poised to start strike motion at 3 a.m. ET (1 a.m. MT) Friday until a deal is reached, the union stated.
But Capt. Bernard Lewall, who chairs the union’s WestJet contingent, stated within the assertion the airline’s administration “still fails to understand today’s labour market conditions” which have led pilots to hunt higher employment circumstances elsewhere.
“Without the economic and job security improvements our pilots require, WestJet will be parking planes, as they will not have enough pilots to operate them or accomplish its own growth strategy,” Lewall stated.
The union warned job motion may embody grounding all WestJet-owned plane and “effectively shutting down operations.”
The staff’ points revolve round job safety, pay and scheduling. The union claims each 18 hours on common, WestJet pilots are leaving the airline for its rivals.
WestJet says there have been 3 times extra pilot hires than resignations at its mainline operation this yr.
In an announcement this week, the Calgary-based airline stated its pilots are among the many finest paid in Canada, however {that a} contract on par with these just lately secured by some U.S. pilot teams can be financially unworkable and put the corporate’s future in danger.
“This expectation is not reasonable and is impeding the WestJet Group’s ability to reach an agreement in advance of the upcoming long weekend.,” the firm stated in an announcement Monday night time.
In response to the strike discover, the airline issued lockout discover.
“The decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union today, was not one that was made lightly, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests,” WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech stated in an announcement.
“It is our responsibility to ensure the safety and complete control of our network at all times, to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, our crews and our aircraft. Our commitment and priority remains at the bargaining table, where we will continue to work around the clock to come to a reasonable agreement as soon as possible, in an effort to prevent labour action.”
WestJet stated issuing discover doesn’t imply a piece stoppage will happen.
However, within the coming days, it stated it’d start taking motion to reduce the attainable affect by starting preparations to function a decreased schedule with fewer Westjet and Swoop flights, proactively managing adjustments and cancellations and “providing flexible change and cancel options for those who wish to make alternate arrangements.”
Should flight delays or cancellations happen, the airline stated “impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable.”
For individuals who booked immediately with WestJet or Swoop, adjustments to present journey will probably be immediately communicated by way of electronic mail.
Those who booked by a journey agent or on-line by way of a 3rd occasion are requested to contact them immediately.
— With information from Karen Bartko, Global News
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
