Contracts Set for Review for Another Airline as Pilots Face Difficult Economy

The WesJet Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association has notified WestJet Airlines Management of their intention to open negotiations regarding the group's collective agreement. 

The pilots group's head, Captain Dave Kingston, said that the pilots have been pulling more than their fair share of weight at the company since 2020 and it's time their services are acknowledged. “For more than two years, our airline has faced the devastating impacts of COVID-19 head-on but is on its way to recovery, thanks in large part to the efforts and sacrifices of this pilot group. For some, those sacrifices included a nearly 70 percent reduction in pay, while close to half of our pilots were furloughed. As we continue our transition back to a pre-pandemic level of operations, our sacrifices must be recognized by WestJet management in our next contract.”

The notification means that contract talks will formally begin, though the WestJet/ALPA Negotiating Committee seems optimistic about the outcome of their work, saying that they intend to present company brass with rational proposals consistent with the agreements gained by similar pilot groups in the USA. 

“Our goal is to reach a fair contract that provides job security and career progression for pilots and stability to the airline,” Kingston said. “We have done our part to help the company remain competitive and expect a new contract that will help attract and retain experienced, qualified pilots who will look at WestJet as a career destination.”

FMI:www.alpa.org