Leader of WestJet’s pilots union is optimistic about labour deal with new CE

WestJet’s appointment of a new CE opens the way for the carrier to hammer out a labour deal with its pilots over the next few months, a union leader said. Relations had soured between the union and CE Gregg Saretsky as WestJet pilots sought their first bargaining agreement. Those negotiations now fall to CE Ed Sims. At issue in the labour talks is the push by the company to get a new discount operation up and running. A contract puts at risk the carrier’s cost advantage over larger rival Air Canada. “I’m optimistic that we can come to an agreement in a relatively short period of time," said captain Rob McFadyen, chairman of the WestJet unit of the Air Line Pilots Association. "I don’t think there is any reason we can’t have this done within the next few months.” <br/>