WestJet says it is activating contingency plan in preparation for work stoppage

Talks between WestJet and the pilots' union continue amid the countdown toward a Friday strike deadline, with the airline saying it has started to cancel flights ahead of the anticipated work stoppage.

Some 1,800 pilots at the carrier and its Swoop subsidiary are poised to walk off the job as of 3 a.m. eastern daylight time after the Air Line Pilots Association issued a strike notice Monday.

The federal labour minister and the government's head mediator as well as WestJet's CEO and the pilots' union leaders have all descended on a hotel near Toronto's Pearson airport to work toward a deal.

WestJet issued a statement early Thursday saying it has begun cancelling flights in preparation for the job action. 

The statement reads that the WestJet Group is parking the majority of its 737 and 787 fleet in a "measured, phased and safe approach," given that a tentative agreement has not yet been reached. The airline says WestJet Encore, WestJet Link as well as limited 737 flights will continue to operate during this time. 

WestJet chief executive Alexis von Hoensbroech says the union's demands are extreme, while the travel plans of thousands of Canadians hang in limbo ahead of the May long weekend.

Bernard Lewall, who heads the union's WestJet contingent, says the workers' issues revolve around pay, job security and scheduling, with pilots earning roughly half of what some of their U.S. counterparts make.

With more than 4,000 flights scheduled over the next seven days, WestJet carries 28 per cent of Canada's domestic market, while Air Canada runs 47 per cent, according to flight data firm Cirium.

The airline is advising travellers to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport, and to visit WestJet's Guest Updates page or Swoop's information hub for more information regarding flight status and travel changes. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2023.

Gap is substantial': WestJet CEO says

negotiations remain difficult after offer 

tabled to pilots

Daniel Johnson , BNN Bloomberg

As negotiations continue between WestJet and the union representing its pilots, Chief Executive Officer Alexis von Hoensbroech said a substantial gap still exists after the airline put an offer on the table to avoid travel disruptions. 

On Monday, the Air Line Pilots Association put forward a 72-hour strike notice ahead of the May long weekend. The union represents approximately 1,600 crew members for WestJet and its subsidiary, Swoop. 

The Calgary-based airline said Tuesday that a work stoppage could occur as soon as Friday at 3 a.m. MDT.

“The gap is substantial. We have put something on the table that is very generous. I think it's the most generous offer that any union actually got across all the Canadian sectors that were going on strike for less than what we are offering,” von Hoensbroech said in an interview with BNN Bloomberg Wednesday. 

Von Hoensbroech said limitations exist regarding what the company can afford. 

“With what we have put on the table, we would make them the best-paid pilots in Canada, and I think that's quite reasonable,” he said. 

Alongside wages, von Hoensbroech said both sides are discussing scope and working conditions.

Last week, Bernard Lewall, the head of the Air Line Pilot Association's WestJet contingent, stated that the strike notice was related to job protection, pay, and scheduling. Lewall also stated that around 340 pilots left the airline over the previous year and a half, adding that most of which went to other airlines. 

In a statement to BNNBloomberg.ca on Wednesday, the union acknowledged that negotiations were ongoing and that flight disruptions "are never an ideal outcome."

“Negotiators are making themselves available 24/7 until the end of the 72 notice period to reach a negotiated agreement that will help fix WestJet’s pilot attraction and retention crisis and allow the airline to recognize its growth strategy,” the statement reads.

Ahead of the potential strike, the airline issued a lockout notice Monday. The airline also indicated preparations would be made to reduce network operations across WestJet as well as Swoop. 

In order to avoid travel disruptions for WestJet customers, von Hoensbroech said the airline is taking an “all hands on deck,” approach and that he and the airline’s negotiations team are present and working around the clock. 

“Everyone knows that we have a deadline looming that may disrupt the long May weekend, and we are doing everything we can, including myself being here, to bring this to a close before we see any major disruptions,” he said. 

With files from the Canadian Press.

Here's what you need to know about a 

possible WestJet pilot strike

Daniel Johnson and Holly McKenzie-Sutter, BNN Bloomberg

WestJet started grounding flights Thursday in preparation for a potential work stoppage by its pilots early Friday.

The pilots’ union issued a 72-hour strike notice earlier this week, and WestJet issued a lockout notice in response. The company’s chief executive said Wednesday the two sides are far apart on an agreement after the airline tabled an offer during negotiations in a hotel north of Toronto.

The Air Line Pilots Association said in a news release Monday the strike notice comes after nine months of failed negotiations with the company. The union represents around 1,600 flight crew members across WestJet and its subsidiary Swoop.

As the May long weekend approaches, travel plans hinge on successful negotiations between the airline and the union representing its pilots.

Here’s a look at the ongoing situation.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW

WestJet had started parking the majority of its 737 and 787 fleet as of Thursday morning in the absence of an agreement with the pilots, though the company said said WestJet Encore, WestJet Link and some 737 flights were set to continue.

Meanwhile, Air Line Pilots Association union leaders, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech, Canada’s labour minister and the government’s head mediator were in Toronto near Pearson International Airport on Thursday working towards an agreement.

The Canadian Press has reported that WestJet’s latest offer to the pilot captains would see them earn between $300,000 and $350,000 by the end of the collective agreement term, but the pilots’ union said the numbers don’t tell the whole story.  

WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT?

In its strike notice, the Air Line Pilots Association stated that flight disruptions are not ideal, but pilots of the Calgary-based airline would withdraw services in order to secure a contract.

Von Hoensbroech said Tuesday the potential strike brings uncertainty for thousands of individuals with travel plans over the long weekend.

However, the airline stated Monday that if a delay or cancellation were to occur, customers would be, “refunded or re-accommodated, as applicable.”

Ahead of the potential pilot strike, Flair Airlines announced it was increasing its travel offerings between certain Canadian cities during the long weekend.

WHEN WOULD IT HAPPEN?

Following the strike notice, WestJet stated a work stoppage could occur as soon as Friday at 3 a.m. MDT, in a news release Tuesday.

However the airline stated at the time of the release, there was no impact on the company’s operations and that in the event of a work stoppage, WestJet will provide enhanced flexibility for guests travelling from May 15-21.

WHAT BOTH SIDES ARE SAYING

The union stated in its notice Monday that it could have filed the strike notice over the May long weekend but chose not to in an effort to keep the airline functioning.

Following the strike notice, WestJet issued a lockout notice Monday but noted that it does not mean a work stoppage is certain. The airline also stated it would prepare for a reduction in network operations across WestJet and Swoop.

WestJet said in a statement last week that its pilots are amongst the highest compensated across the country and that a contract comparable to U.S. pilot groups would put the company’s future at risk.

WestJet said that resignations have been “relatively low” and that the airline has hired three times more pilots in its mainline service compared to the number of resignations.

Bernard Lewall, the head of the Air Line Pilot Association's WestJet contingent, said last week that the strike notice relates to job protection, pay, and scheduling, while adding that around 340 pilots left the airline over the past year and a half. Lewall said most of the departing pilots went to other airlines.

Negotiations face headwinds as von Hoensbroech said the “gap is still massive,” on a video call from the location of ongoing talks Tuesday.

Additionally, with a potential strike looming, von Hoensbroech said bookings have been “softening.”

In a statement Wednesday, the union told BNN Bloomberg that talks are ongoing and negotiators are making themselves available around the clock in order to reach an agreement.

In an interview with BNN Bloomberg Wednesday, von Hoensbroech said negotiations are difficult, but that the airline did table an offer.

“The gap is substantial. We have put something on the table that is very generous. I think it's the most generous offer that any union actually got across all the Canadian sectors that were going on strike for less than what we are offering,” he said.

Additionally, von Hoensbroech reiterated there are limits on what the company can afford. He said the offer that was presented to the union would make WestJet pilots the “best-paid” in the country.

With files from the Canadian Press.