WestJet Employee Association Prepares For Pilot Certification Vote

WestJet pilots filed have membership cards with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to hold an election for representation by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

"WestJet pilots told us they are ready for a certified union," said ALPA president Capt. Tim Canoll. "Now is the time for them to take the next step and vote for ALPA in order to obtain the resources available to secure their goals."

In the next few weeks, the CIRB will verify the membership cards and schedule an ALPA representation vote. ALPA expects that the secret-ballot election will be conducted in May.

"WestJet pilots have demonstrated the pilot unity needed to certify a union on the property, and we believe WestJet pilots will be successful in their election for ALPA representation," Canoll said. "The WestJet pilots work for a profitable and productive company, and with the vast resources available through ALPA representation, they will begin the process to legally negotiate the terms of their employment and establish a collective bargaining agreement under the Canada Labour Code that other union-represented aviation groups in Canada enjoy today."

ALPA Canada president Capt. Dan Adamus added, "WestJet pilots play a crucial role in the success of their airline and we look forward to their contributions to advancing success with ALPA as we work together to achieve our mutual objectives."

The WestJet Employee Association (WEA) is also preparing for this second attempt to unionize WestJet pilots within two years.

"The WestJet Pilots' Association has effectively represented our pilots since 1999," said Brad Armitage, WEA chair. "The WJPA has worked collaboratively with WestJet to provide our pilots with continual advancements on compensation and work rules. We believe that the WEA and the WJPA is the right type of representation for WestJetters."

"The WEA will continue to provide a collaborative approach to employee/employer relations at WestJet and WestJet Encore as it has for the past 18 years," added Armitage.

(Image from WestJet Employee Association Facebook page)

FMI: www.alpa.org, http://westjetemployeeassociation.ca/