WestJet pilots strike looms: What to know if you’ve got a flight booked

WestJet pilots could be on strike next week as they lobby the airline for improved pay and working conditions. Here's what that could mean for passengers with upcoming flights.

Fears that WestJet pilots might soon go on strike are looming over travellers who have tickets booked with the Calgary-based airline.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing WestJet pilots, who are seeking better job protections, benefits and wages that will bring them in line with their North American counterparts, is set to declare on Saturday whether a work stoppage will start 72 hours later on May 16.

Pilots representing both WestJet and its discount brand Swoop voted in favour of a strike mandate in April. Earlier this week, pilots took part in an informational picket to raise awareness of their demands.

John Gradek, a lecturer with McGill University’s aviation management program who’s not involved in the negotiations, says it’s a toss-up whether there will be a strike or not, with the odds seemingly changing on an hour-to-hour basis.

He says there’s a “fairly large gap” between WestJet and its pilots, who are seeking a wage boost to offset what they say are some of the lowest rates of pay for pilots in North America.

Though the union claims these working conditions have meant WestJet is bleeding staff to the tune of 30 pilots a month, Gradek also says meeting the demands will be “a significant cost” to the airline.

WestJet, for its part, pushed back against the union’s claims in a statement released May 8.

The airline asserted that its mainline pilots are among the best paid in Canada and wages shouldn’t be compared to U.S. standards. It also claimed that resignations have not been as steep as the union says.