Canadian fliers are breathing easier after the WestJet Group reached labour deals with Encore pilots and a machinists union.
WestJet on30MAY said it had reached a tentative agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), representing WestJet Encore pilots. The deal came on the second round of collective bargaining agreement between management and the pilots’ union.
The agreement successfully averts a work stoppage for now, as both parties await the results of a second ratification vote by ALPA members.
ALPA members rejected an earlier tentative agreement reached by the union and WestJet management. The union issued a strike notice that could’ve seen a strike begin on 01JUN, which prompted management to issue a lockout notice.
That sent both sides back to the bargaining table on 29MAY.
“Following challenging, but meaningful discussions, a timely resolution was achieved, with the collective goal of avoiding the disruption of WestJet Encore operations and guests' travel plans,” airline officials said on 30MAY.
"The tentative agreement we have reached today provides an offer that is fair and sustainable, and better aligns with key priorities as identified by ALPA, while firmly adhering to the financial parameters that set a critical foundation in the original agreement," said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer.
"While we are pleased to have reached an agreement, we recognize the impact and the uncertainty a lockout notice has on our guests and our people. While our number one priority remains fulfilling our commitment to our guests, through affordable air service, we cannot compromise on what is reasonable and protects the future employment for everyone across the WestJet Group; I am confident our agreement achieves this."
“After our pilots rejected the tentative agreement presented to them last month, citing the WestJet Group’s failure to address issues of central importance to the pilot group, we are very pleased to announce we have reached a new tentative agreement with management which addresses those issues,” ALPA officials said in a statement.
“Our goal has always been to reach an agreement that will help solve many of the airline’s pilot attraction and retention issues, provide industry-standard wages and working conditions, and provide a better work/life balance for our pilots,” said Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore Master Executive Council. “Over the coming days, our WestJet Encore membership will begin voting on the new tentative agreement.”
WestJet Group on 30MAY also announced that its Load Controllers, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), ratified the first collective bargaining agreement between the two parties.
"We are pleased to share that the agreement negotiated with IAM has been successfully ratified by its membership," said Pen. "This outcome reflects our deep appreciation for our Load Controllers and is the result of great collaboration with IAM that achieved meaningful results for our employees, our airline and our guests."
The agreement will come into effect 01JUL, and will be in place until 31DEC, 2028.
