WestJet Encore pilots issue strike notice, work stoppage possible

WestJet Encore pilots could walk off the job this weekend if an agreement isn’t reached with the airline, after filing a 72-hour strike notice. The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l(opens in a new tab) (ALPA), the union representing the pilots, announced the strike notice on Wednesday, saying its members can begin job action on June 1 if the two parties can’t come to terms on a new contract. WestJet(opens in a new tab) issued an advanced lockout notice to the ALPA on Wednesday afternoon. The airline said a work stoppage could occur as early as 6 p.m. MT on June 1. The union and the airline resumed bargaining two weeks ago after the pilots rejected a tentative agreement. ALPA noted that progress has been made, but the two sides are still apart on some of the issues important to the pilots. “After eight months of negotiating, and a failed (tentative agreement), unfortunately management has not recognized the pilots’ needs. We have expressed to management that we are willing to work with them to further address the issues that clearly remain for our pilots,” said Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore ALPA Master Executive Council. “Until WestJet Encore management negotiates a contract that recognizes the current labour market conditions in Canada’s airline industry, and addresses the needs of our pilots, management will continue to struggle to attract and retain the well-trained, highly skilled pilots required to help our airline be successful.”<br/>