The WestJet Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) informed WestJet Airlines management of its decision to begin contract talks on the Collective Agreement of the pilot union on Friday.
“For more than two years, our airline has faced the devastating impacts of COVID-19 head-on but is on its way to recovery, thanks in large part to the efforts and sacrifices of this pilot group,” said Capt. Dave Kingston, WestJet MEC chair.
“For some, those sacrifices included a nearly 70 percent reduction in pay, while close to half of our pilots were furloughed. As we continue our transition back to a pre-pandemic level of operations, our sacrifices must be recognized by WestJet management in our next contract.”
The WestJet ALPA Negotiating Committee anticipates that WestJet management will acknowledge the professionalism of the pilots and their contributions to the success of the airline when contract negotiations get underway.
The committee is prepared to collaborate with management and will present fair suggestions that are in line with the contracts of similar pilot groups in North America.
“Our goal is to reach a fair contract that provides job security and career progression for pilots and stability to the airline,” Kingston continued. “We have done our part to help the company remain competitive and expect a new contract that will help attract and retain experienced, qualified pilots who will look at WestJet as a career destination.”