WestJet Encore Pilots Threaten Strike Amidst Contract Dispute
In a recent development, pilots at WestJet Encore, a regional carrier, have issued a 72-hour strike notice to the company’s management and the government. This comes after weeks of negotiations following the rejection of a tentative agreement by the pilots. While some progress has been made, key issues still remain unresolved, leading to the possibility of a strike as early as June.
Key Salary Dispute Between WestJet Encore Pilots and Management
The Air Line Pilots Association, representing 355 pilots at WestJet Encore, has highlighted the disparity in pay between WestJet Encore pilots and their regional counterparts in Canada. Despite the company’s claims that the rejected agreement would have made WestJet Encore pilots the highest-paid regional pilots in Canada, the pilots maintain that their needs have not been adequately addressed by management. This ongoing salary dispute has led to increased tensions, with the possibility of a lockout looming if an agreement is not reached soon.
Uncertainty for WestJet Encore Passengers as Strike Looms
As the threat of a strike looms, WestJet has issued a lockout notice to the pilots’ union, warning of potential disruptions to service. This uncertainty has left passengers and communities in Western Canada, who rely on WestJet Encore’s services, in a state of flux. Both parties remain hopeful that a resolution can be reached to avoid any disruptions, but the future remains uncertain as negotiations continue.