A week away from legal job action, more than 1,500 pilots at Canadian airline WestJet will reportedly picket across the country on Monday. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing the pilots, confirmed on Friday that the picket will happen at some of the largest airports in Canada.
The move comes after WestJet and the ALPA have yet to agree to a contract that mirrors that of airlines in the US. The pilots are reportedly set to strike later this month if a favorable labor agreement is not reached.
Getting the attention of management
According to PAX News, WestJet’s ALPA leadership will update the current negotiations between the union and the carrier’s management. Still, the pilots will be in uniform to picket at Calgary International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport on Monday.
The union estimates that up to a third of its members, or 1,600 pilots, will participate in the informational picket and hopes the demonstrations will convey a “strong message to management,” according to the Vancouver Sun.
Currently, both sides are in a cooling-off period which is expected to expire next week. Despite the pause, the union said it would still be available.
“The pilots will be in a legal position to commence job action May 16; however, ALPA remains committed to the bargaining process and will make their negotiators available during the 21-day cooling-off period, which is set to expire May 13. If no agreement has been reached at that time, ALPA will be able to file a 72-hour strike notice.”
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“Mass exodus”
On April 18th, most of WestJet’s pilots voted to organize a strike if needed. Jason Roberts, a member of the ALPA’s executive council, said the airline is continuing to lose pilots due to its poor management and failure to reach an agreement.
“They still fail to understand today’s labour market conditions and it’s leading to a mass exodus of our professional pilots,” Roberts said to the Vancouver Sun. “On average, a WestJet pilot is leaving our airline every 18 hours.”
According to Captain Bernard Lewall, Chair of the ALPA WestJet Master Executive Council, contract negotiations have been happening for seven months. Lewall said that the airline’s pilots want to continue being part of the airline’s growth.
“We want to continue being a major contributor to WestJet’s success and help the company recognize its growth strategy, but if management leaves us no other option, we will be ready to do what it takes to fight for our careers and the future of the airline,” Lewall said to PAX News.
Prepared for any outcome
The ALPA did confirm last month that its goal is to avoid a strike. However, should a strike occur, the union said that WestJet’s pilots are prepared for any outcome, crediting most to a $2 million grant from the union’s war chest, which was authorized by the ALPA’s Executive Board unanimously.
“Management should know that we, the pilots, are ready,” Lewall explained.
According to the Vancouver Sun, John Gradek, an industry expert, said WestJet’s pilots have the airline’s attention through their union, especially since the ongoing negotiations come fresh off the success of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines reaching favorable labor agreements.
Sources: PAX News, Vancouver Sun, Air Line Pilots Association