WestJet says it is activating contingency plan in preparation for work stoppage
MONTREAL –
Talks between WestJet and the pilots’ union proceed amid the countdown towards a Friday strike deadline, with the airline saying it has began to cancel flights forward of the anticipated work stoppage.
Some 1,800 pilots on the service and its Swoop subsidiary are poised to stroll off the job as of three a.m. jap daylight time after the Air Line Pilots Association issued a strike discover Monday.
The federal labour minister and the federal government’s head mediator in addition to WestJet’s CEO and the pilots’ union leaders have all descended on a resort close to Toronto’s Pearson airport to work towards a deal.
WestJet issued a press release early Thursday saying it has begun cancelling flights in preparation for the job motion.
The assertion reads that the WestJet Group is parking the vast majority of its 737 and 787 fleet in a “measured, phased and safe approach,” given {that a} tentative settlement has not but been reached. The airline says WestJet Encore, WestJet Link in addition to restricted 737 flights will proceed to function throughout this time.
WestJet chief government Alexis von Hoensbroech says the union’s calls for are excessive, whereas the journey plans of hundreds of Canadians hold in limbo forward of the May lengthy weekend.
Bernard Lewall, who heads the union’s WestJet contingent, says the employees’ points revolve round pay, job safety and scheduling, with pilots incomes roughly half of what a few of their U.S. counterparts make.
With greater than 4,000 flights scheduled over the subsequent seven days, WestJet carries 28 per cent of Canada’s home market, whereas Air Canada runs 47 per cent, in accordance with flight information agency Cirium.
The airline is advising travellers to test the standing of their flight earlier than leaving for the airport, and to go to WestJet’s Guest Updates web page or Swoop’s data hub for extra data relating to flight standing and journey modifications.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed May 18, 2023
