WestJet and Air Line Pilots Association still negotiating as strike deadline looms, union says

With two weeks until a potential strike by WestJet pilots, both sides are still at the negotiating table, according to a union official with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

About 1,850 WestJet pilots are poised to strike as of May 16, with pay and job security among some of the main issues still to be resolved.

Both parties are meeting in Calgary throughout this week, said Capt. Bernard Lewall — who's the WestJet ALPA master executive council chair and a WestJet pilot — and he says it appears the company has committed to meetings in Toronto from May 8 to 16.

"We need the decision makers in the room, and they will be in the room next week, hopefully." 

Negotiations between WestJet pilots, including those with its discount subsidiary Swoop, and the union began back in September. Last month, the pilots voted in favour of a strike mandate.

After the official end of federal conciliation on April 24, with no deal reached, a 21-day cooling-off period began. Once that period expires on May 16, pilots will be in a strike position.

That could mean job action, such as refusing to do overtime, or a full strike.

"Our goal though is to avoid a strike, but we need WestJet to recognize the value and the expertise that we, the pilots, bring to the company and our passengers every day," Lewall said.

WestJet did not agree to an interview Tuesday and did not respond to a question about whether they were participating in talks in Calgary and Toronto.

Instead, a spokesperson pointed to an April 18 statement from WestJet Group's chief operating Officer, Diederik Pen.

"We remain unwaveringly committed to achieving an agreement that 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 jobs for thousands at the WestJet Group," the statement read.

The spokesperson added the airline will continue to provide "proactive updates to the public and guests as required."

Right now, Lewall said the company is losing pilots every month, with most heading to other airlines. One of their goals through these negotiations is to retain experienced pilots and attract new ones, he said.

The union has been pushing what it calls a North American standard contract. Lewall says it would narrow the gap between WestJet wages and the wages of pilots at other airlines in Canada and the U.S.