(Calgary) WestJet Encore pilots could go on strike as early as April 17 after approving a strike mandate Tuesday, increasing the prospect of headwinds after a turbulent year for the airline owner.
WestJet’s regional carrier pilots voted 97% in favor of a strike mandate after contract negotiations over wages, hours and career advancement fell “nearly to a standstill,” the airline said. Airline Pilots Association (APL). Some 89% of pilots voted.
“What this signals to me is that our pilots are frustrated,” said Carin Kenny, who represents the union’s WestJet Encore contingent.
The 355 pilots he represents can leave the tarmac 72 hours after union leaders file strike notice. A possible strike or lockout can only take place after a 21-day cooling-off period that began when federal conciliation between the two sides concluded last week.
WestJet Encore regional pilots are the lowest paid in Canada, leading some to seek employment elsewhere, Ms.me Kenny.
The shortage of pilots which persists at Encore makes it difficult, according to her, for them to move to the main carrier WestJet, which offers higher salaries, because the crew of its approximately 35 planes De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops are required for regional service.
Still is recruiting new pilots, she said, “but the problem is they don’t stay.” They gain their experience and then go elsewhere – to Porter, Jazz, Air Canada or Flair. Some go abroad.”
WestJet President Diederik Pen said the strike mandate vote marks a typical step by unions in the context of collective bargaining.
“We are committed to reaching an agreement with the APL that addresses the unique concerns of our Encore pilots, is competitive within the Canadian airline industry, and ensures a long-term sustainable future so that we can continue to operate a essential air service for millions of Canadians, while providing meaningful jobs for thousands across the WestJet group,” Mr. Pen said in a statement.
The airline narrowly avoided a strike last year in its negotiations with another group of pilots. The carrier was forced to cancel more than 230 flights in preparation for pressure tactics before a deal was reached hours before the walkout deadline.
The collective agreement for pilots at WestJet and its subsidiary Swoop – but not WestJet Encore – provided a 24% salary increase over four years.
WestJet announced in June last year that it would wind down five-year-old Swoop and consolidate the budget airline’s operations under its main banner.
The potential labor disruption at Encore comes as WestJet, Canada’s second-largest carrier, faces indefinite delays in the delivery of dozens of new planes after a panel explosion on a Boeing 737 Max in January , postponed the certification of the Max 10.