WestJet pilots could go on strike Friday at Pearson Airport in Mississauga
Published May 16, 2023 at 10:24 am
The union representing hundreds of WestJet pilots who fly passenger jets into and out of Pearson Airport in Mississauga says they could go on strike as early as 5 a.m. this Friday (May 19) if progress isn’t made in contract talks.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said via social media that it issued a 72-hour strike notice to Calgary-based WestJet Airlines, meaning some 1,800 pilots across Canada could legally walk out of their cockpits early Friday morning.
If WestJet’s pilots do strike, the work stoppage would come just as Pearson and other airports across Canada are preparing for the busy late spring and summer travel seasons.
The Victoria Day long weekend, which falls this coming weekend, is traditionally a busy air travel time across Canada.
Some 750 WestJet pilots protested at Pearson and other airports last week as talks between the ALPA and WestJet management continued, but failed to make any meaningful progress.
Among other things, the pilots are seeking better working conditions and higher wages they say would bring them more in line with their North American counterparts.
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Today the WestJet Pilots MEC issued a 72 hours strike notice. If no progress is made, we could withdraw our services at 0300 MT May 19th, 2023. Our negotiating committee remains available 24/7 to reach a deal.#showusafuture #weareready #willstrikeifprovoked #countdown pic.twitter.com/usKJVss491
— WestJet ALPA Pilots (@WestJetALPA) May 16, 2023
They voted in favour of a strike mandate in April.
The ALPA said it’s hopeful that talks between the two sides will continue this week in advance of Friday, noting its negotiating committee is available around the clock to meet with the company.
ALPA officials also said earlier, according to travel magazine PAX, that poor working conditions are causing about 30 pilots a month to leave WestJet.
Airline officials countered, saying the number of pilot resignations has been exaggerated and that WestJet’s mainline pilots are among the best paid in Canada.
The ALPA, which represents WestJet pilots and those at WestJet subsidiary Swoop Airlines in addition to numerous other airlines around the world, said last week via social media that “…after seven months of negotiating, WestJet management still fails to recognize the value and expertise WestJet pilots bring to their company and passengers every day. It’s past time for WestJet to reach an industry-standard contract agreement with its pilots.”
WestJet said in a statement that it has contingency plans in place should the pilots walk off the job. Its goal would be to “minimize what could be significant impacts to guest travel.”
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which operates Pearson, says it’s well-prepared for the summer travel season at Pearson thanks to bolstered staffing and technological improvements following widespread delays and cancellations that frustrated and angered travellers last year, especially during July and August.
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