WestJet pilots issue strike notice, carrier issues lockout notice

Whether from a lockout or a strike, WestJet Group customers — both cargo and passenger — should plan for possible service disruptions Friday. WestJet pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union, issued a strike notice to Canada-based WestJet on Monday. ALPA, which represents about 1,800 WestJet pilots, according to an ALPA spokesperson, plans to begin the strike at 3 a.m. Friday. In response, WestJet issued a lockout notice to ALPA on Monday, and is also planning for the work stoppage to begin at 3 a.m. Friday. Neither action will occur if the parties agree on a contract before then; they have been negotiating for nine months. To reduce the impact of the possible stoppage, WestJet announced it would: Prepare for a reduced operations schedule for WestJet and subsidiary Swoop ; Proactively manage changes and cancellations, and communicate with customers; and Provide flexible change and cancel options for those looking to make alternate arrangements. Another speed bump for WestJet Cargo WestJet’s cargo airline, WestJet Cargo , launched just last month, and a work stoppage would temporarily halt the fledgling cargo unit’s operations. WestJet Cargo is accepting bookings after Friday, but its three Boeing 737-800 converted freighters could be grounded. WestJet Cargo has plans to operate a fourth freighter after conversion from a passenger plane is complete. [caption id="attachment_57132837" align="alignleft" width="318"] A WestJet Cargo airplane sits on a runway, preparing for takeoff. (Photo/WestJet)[/caption] WestJet Cargo planned to launch services last summer but was delayed because Transport Canada took 10 months longer than expected to approve the freighters’ structural design. Despite the possibility of a strike, aviation advisory service SASI World President and Chief Executive Stan Wraight said he does not believe a work stoppage will affect WestJet Cargo in the long term. In fact, the Canadian consultant doesn’t believe there will be a work stoppage. “I am convinced calmer heads will prevail, and a union agreement will happen,” Wraight told Air Cargo Next . “As most WestJet senior executives are non-Canadians, I hope they understand this is not Europe or the USA, and sensitivities are different. As their freighter market entry is so fresh, I doubt any harm will come to their positioning if a strike does occur; every airline gets a honeymoon period to sort things out if your clients are convinced of the longer-term benefits.” Stalled negotiations WestJet pilots want better job security , higher wages and more flexible scheduling to allow for a better work-life balance. ALPA announced in April that 93% of WestJet pilots voted in favor of the strike. “Management still fails to understand today’s labor market conditions, leading to a mass exodus of our pilots in search of better work opportunities, and more will follow if this agreement does not meet our pilots’ needs,” Capt. Bernard Lewall , chair of the WestJet ALPA Master Executive Council, said in a release. “Without the economic and job security improvements our pilots require, WestJet will be parking planes, as they will not have enough pilots to operate them or accomplish its own growth strategy.” WestJet Group countered that it has offered a generous contract that would make its first officers and captains the highest paid narrow-body pilots in Canada. The carrier stated that the pilots’ expectations are not reasonable, with the pilots seeking U.S.-like wages despite living and working in Canada. “The decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union today, was not one that was made lightly, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests,” WestJet Group Chief Executive Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a release on Monday. “We believe with a commitment from both parties, an agreement is achievable and [we] are committed to offering pilots a competitive collective agreement with meaningful improvements for the Canadian market, whilst remaining competitive at the same time.” ALPA and WestJet have both stated that they will continue negotiations with the hope of reaching an agreement.

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