Turbulent skies could possibly be forward after WestJet Encore pilots voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate on Tuesday.
Of the 89 per cent of pilots who took half within the vote, 97 per cent voted in favour of strike motion if a contract isn’t negotiated by April 17, 2024. The 355 Encore pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Affiliation Int’l (ALPA) and whereas they’ve the identical mum or dad firm as WestJet, Encore is a separate entity.
The pilots can stroll off the tarmac 72 hours after union management information a strike discover.
“Our {industry} and our firm popularity are constructed on belief and stability,” Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore ALPA Grasp Government Council, stated in a launch. “That’s why our tactic on the negotiating desk has been to make commonsense proposals that may present a path ahead for the WestJet Group and its pilots.”
The outcomes come only one week right into a mandated 21-day cooling-off interval that resulted from federal reconciliation makes an attempt final week. At challenge are issues about pay, schedules and profession development.
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“We’re right here to struggle for a contract that may as soon as once more make working throughout the WestJet Group a profession purpose. Sadly, regardless of administration’s platitudes, our proposals proceed to fall on deaf ears,” Kenny stated.
Kenny admits that progress was made within the preliminary levels of the seven months of negotiation, however these talks have come to a “close to standstill.” ALPA representatives say that WestJet Encore pilots are a few of the lowest-paid regional pilots in Canada and that they lack stability and profession development alternatives.
“With out drastic enchancment on our subsequent contract, there shall be little stopping WestJet Encore pilots from persevering with to hunt higher employment alternatives elsewhere,” Kenny acknowledged. “That’s why we’re in search of an industry-standard contract corresponding to a few of our regional colleagues throughout Canada.”
Whereas flight disruptions are by no means a great final result for passengers, the union says their negotiators are nonetheless dedicated to the bargaining course of 24/7 – however they’re ready to file a 72-hour strike discover on April 14 if contract negotiations fail. Which means the group can be in a authorized strike place on April 17.
WestJet Airways president Diederik Pen stated a strike authorization vote marks a typical step by unions within the context of labour negotiations.
“We’re steadfast in our dedication to achieve an settlement with ALPA that addresses the distinctive issues of our Encore pilots, is aggressive inside Canada’s airline {industry} and ensures we now have a long-term sustainable future in order that we are able to proceed to function crucial air service for thousands and thousands of Canadians whereas offering significant employment for hundreds on the WestJet Group,” Pen stated in an announcement.
–With information from Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
