UPDATE TO THE STORY: Pilot leaders of WestJet Encore have given their approval to an agreement in principle (AIP) with WestJet Encore management after over seven months of negotiations.
Talks continue as both sides aim to finalize the contract details for a complete tentative agreement to be voted on by members.
“After several consecutive days of late-stage negotiating, progress was made on a number of key issues including compensation and scheduling,” said Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore ALPA Master Executive Council.
“We are pleased to announce an agreement in principle that goes a long way toward bringing the WestJet Encore pilots in line with our regional flying counterparts across Canada.”
Although representatives from both sides have agreed in principle on most terms and conditions, they are still working on finalizing the contract language.
“Throughout the negotiating process, management’s refusal to grasp the current labour market conditions in Canada’s aviation sector resulted in a mass exodus of pilots in search of better work opportunities, continued Kenny.
“It is significant that management now recognizes a contract without the required economic and scheduling improvements would result in a continuation of the current pilot attraction and retention crisis at the airline.“
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Pilots from WestJet Encore may initiate a strike as early as April 17, following the approval of a strike mandate on Tuesday.
WestJet Encore, a subsidiary of WestJet, operates domestic flights within Canada connecting major urban centers and smaller communities. During a recent strike-authorization vote on Tuesday, 89 per cent of its pilots participated, with 97 per cent of them voting in favor of a potential strike.
According to a press release from Airline Pilots Association Intl’, pilots are hoping to negotiate with WestJet’s management over a contract that will bring better wages and career progression.
Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore ALPA Master Executive Council, said their goal is to get a fair contract for both parties.
“But, in the event that we do have to potentially do some sort of job action or strike that could go on as early as April 17,” Kenny said.
The Airline Pilots Association International said that WestJet Encore pilots have some of the lowest salaries among regional pilots in Canada.
Based on data from the pilot industry portal website, WestJet Boeing 737 Captains earn hourly wages ranging from $136 to $210 Canadian, depending on their tenure with the airline. First Officers receive hourly pay ranging from $56 to $128.
United Airlines Boeing 737 Captains earn between $260 to $283 USD per hour, while First Officers receive hourly wages between $91 and $193.
“We’re the lowest-paid regional pilots in Canada,” said Kenny.
“We’re just looking to be comparable with our competitors so that we’re competitive in the market and retaining and attracting pilots at Encore.”
Momentum slowed after initial progress, union said
Over the past seven months of negotiations, there was initial progress, Kenny said. However, when discussions turned to key parts of the contract such as pay and career advancement within the WestJet Group, momentum slowed.
“At the beginning of negotiations, things were actually progressing quite well. We were getting a lot of tentative agreements and a lot of sections. There’s quite good dialogue,” said Kenny.
“But what happened was negotiations came to almost a standstill when we started talking about wages, working conditions. We’re getting slowly there but there’s still some challenges.”
If management keeps delaying negotiations, the WestJet Encore pilots are ready to issue a 72-hour strike notice on April 14, said the Airline Pilots Association, Int’l.
In a statement issued by WestJet on April 2, Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines, said they’re committed to reaching an agreement.
“A strike authorization vote is a common step by unions in the context of the overall labour negotiation process and does not mean a strike will occur,” said Pen.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to reach an agreement with ALPA that addresses the unique concerns of our Encore pilots, is competitive within Canada’s airline industry and ensures we have a long-term sustainable future so that we can continue to operate critical air service for millions of Canadians while providing meaningful employment for thousands at the WestJet Group.”
