WestJet Encore Pilots Reach New Tentative Agreement, Avert Strike
by Sarah Milner
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The union representing WestJet Encore’s pilots has announced today that a new tentative agreement has been reached with the Canadian airline.
Last night, WestJet issued a lockout notice to the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the union representing the 355 pilots flying for the subsidiary Encore. This started a 72-hour countdown, which would have resulted in a work stoppage on June 1.
The two parties had previously agreed on a tentative agreement in April; however, the ALPA members ultimately rejected the offer.
In a statement, Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore Master Executive Council, said this new offer addresses issues that the previous offer failed to take into consideration.
“The tentative agreement we have reached today provides an offer that is fair and sustainable, and better aligns with key priorities as identified by ALPA, while firmly adhering to the financial parameters that set a critical foundation in the original agreement,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group COO.
Although the June 1 strike has been averted, the latest offer will need to be voted on by the ALPA members.
“Our goal has always been to reach an agreement that will help solve many of the airline’s pilot attraction and retention issues, provide industry-standard wages and working conditions, and provide a better work/life balance for our pilots,” said Kenny. “Over the coming days, our WestJet Encore membership will begin voting on the new tentative agreement.”
