Global Courant 2023-05-16 07:54:25
WestJet says it will lock out the airline’s pilots after their union sent a 72-hour strike notice to the company and the government on Monday evening, paving the way for a work stoppage just before the May long weekend.
In a press release to CBC News, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said that as of 3 a.m. ET on May 19, the pilots plan to begin legal work actions, including grounding all aircraft and effectively shutting down operations.
The WestJet Group said a work stoppage could occur as early as 3am MT on Friday. In a press release, WestJet said issuing an exclusion notice does not mean a work stoppage will occur.
However, the airline has begun preparations to operate an abbreviated schedule, proactively manage changes and cancellations, and provide flexible change and cancellation options for people who want to change their plans.
“It is our responsibility to ensure the security and full control of our network at all times to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, our crews and our aircraft,” WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement. press release.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause our guests.”
About 1,850 WestJet pilots from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) are on the verge of strike. Some of the issues they say still need to be resolved include pay, job security, and scheduling.
“After nine months of negotiations, management still lacks understanding of current job market conditions, leading to a mass exodus of our pilots in search of better job opportunities,” said Capt. Bernard Lewall, Chairman of the WestJet ALPA Master Executive Council in a release.
“More will follow if this agreement does not meet the needs of our pilots.”
Negotiations between WestJet and the pilot union began in September. Last month, the pilots voted for a strike mandate.
LOOK | WestJet pilots picket in Calgary:
WestJet pilots hold an information ball in Calgary as the strike deadline approaches
With a strike deadline looming, WestJet pilots say they are still far apart in negotiations with the company. Members of the Air Line Pilots Association held an informational picket in Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary on May 8. Colleen Underwood from the CBC was in attendance.
Von Hoensbroech said he was disappointed the pilots had issued a strike notice, saying the company’s bid would have made the pilots “by far the highest paid in Canada”.
In a post on Twitter on Monday evening, he said he personally sat down at the negotiating table and is determined to reach a reasonable deal.
We regret that the unionhttps://t.co/KaNxj2GjoC
“Since the union has unreasonable expectations, we see no alternative but to exclude them from Friday,” von Hoensbroech wrote on Twitter.
Should flight delays or cancellations occur, affected guests will be refunded or, if appropriate, re-accommodated, WestJet said.
