WestJet pilots vote in favour of strike mandate, could walk before May long weekend

The union representing WestJet pilots says they’ve voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate.

The Air Line Pilots Association says the 1,600 WestJet pilots it represents can launch a strike as early because the week main as much as the May lengthy weekend, which generally kicks off the summer season journey season for hundreds of Canadians whose plans might now be upended.

Bernard Lewall, who heads the union’s WestJet contingent, says the employees’ points revolve round job safety, pay and scheduling on the airline in addition to at WestJet Encore and low cost subsidiary Swoop.

He says 95 per cent of pilots voted, with 93 per cent of them in favour of the strike mandate.

WestJet mentioned final month the specter of a strike is a standard tactic in negotiations.

Talks proceed by means of the federal conciliation course of, which is able to finish April 24 adopted by a three-week break, except the events agree to increase negotiations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 18, 2023.