Talks between WestJet and the pilots’ union proceed amid the countdown towards a Friday strike deadline, with the airline saying it has began to cancel flights forward of the anticipated work stoppage.
Some 1,800 pilots on the provider and its Swoop subsidiary are poised to stroll off the job as of three a.m. MT after the Air Line Pilots Affiliation issued a strike discover Monday.
The federal labour minister and the federal government’s head mediator, in addition to WestJet’s CEO and the pilots’ union leaders, have all descended on a lodge close to Toronto’s Pearson airport to work towards a deal.
WestJet issued a press release early Thursday saying it has begun cancelling flights in preparation for the job motion.
The assertion reads that the WestJet Group is parking nearly all of its 737 and 787 fleet in a “measured, phased and secure strategy,” given {that a} tentative settlement has not but been reached. The airline says WestJet Encore, WestJet Hyperlink, in addition to restricted 737 flights, will proceed to function throughout this time.
WestJet chief government Alexis von Hoensbroech says the union’s calls for are excessive, whereas the journey plans of 1000’s of Canadians cling in limbo forward of the Could lengthy weekend.
Pay, scheduling points
Bernard Lewall, who heads the union’s WestJet contingent, says the employees’ points revolve round pay, job safety and scheduling, with pilots incomes roughly half of what a few of their U.S. counterparts make.
The Calgary-based firm stated that it could waive charges for passengers cancelling or altering flights by means of the weekend, when the strike/lockout is ready to start if an settlement isn’t reached.
With greater than 4,000 flights scheduled over the following seven days, WestJet carries 28 per cent of Canada’s home market, whereas Air Canada runs 47 per cent, based on flight information agency Cirium.
The airline is advising travellers to verify the standing of their flight earlier than leaving for the airport, and to go to WestJet’s Visitor Updates web page or Swoop’s info hub for extra info concerning flight standing and journey adjustments.