For travellers with upcoming WestJet flights, the news that the airline is continuing negotiations with its pilots may not be particularly comforting.
Represented by the Air Line Pilots Association since last May, WestJet’s pilots have been working towards their first collective agreement since September. Earlier this month, 91 per cent of WestJet pilots voted in support of a strike following months of negotiation. While this permitted a strike to begin as early as May 19, the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents the pilots, committed to not taking job action until after the Victoria Day long weekend. Now, however, WestJet and its pilots are still in negotiations in Calgary.
We are committed to reaching an agreement with management and will be at the bargaining table this week.
— WestJet ALPA Pilots (@WestJetALPA) May 21, 2018
According to WestJet, the airline would receive 72 hours’ notice if the pilots were planning to take labour action.
ALPA’s Master Executive Council (MEC) is required to provide WestJet with 72 hours’ notice of any planned labour action. We have not received any notification of labour action at this time. We remain at the bargaining table and are focused on a negotiated settlement.
— WestJet (@WestJet) May 22, 2018
In that case, WestJet has promised that its passengers would receive refunds for their flights.
Unfortunately, we don’t have any further information on that at this time. In the event your flight is cancelled due to the labour dispute, we will provide a refund. We remain confident that we will come to an agreement. In the meantime, it is business as usual.
— WestJet (@WestJet) May 22, 2018
Even so, many passengers have expressed their concerns of flying with the airline over social media. Earlier this month, WestJet’s CEO Ed Sims told media that the threat of strike has already hurt ticket sales.
“We’ve seen progressive, what we would call, softness or deterioration in bookings,” he said.
“I have almost a visceral reaction to the concept of 70,000 WestJet guests potentially being stranded, 740 flights being disrupted. We have have been working for a considerable amount of time on potential contingency plans to minimize that potential impact.”
@WestJet any chance passengers can get some updates and strike information? I have a wedding to fly to next week and I would very much like to be in attendance...
— Jackie Lebenzon (@JackieLebz) May 22, 2018
@WestJet Our kids leave for their honeymoon this weekend. So much for planning in advance when all we’re doing now is checking double checking and triple checking any new west jet developments. West jet should cover new flights on other airlines. Expect to lose customers WJ!
— Lisa Vanderhout (@Shakesmace) May 22, 2018
That’s my question too - I want to know when I can breathe a sigh of relief - at the start of my flight or the end for 72 hours???
— Kerri (@Kerri06612787) May 22, 2018
Meanwhile, other airlines are ready to step in. Air Canada has said they would make larger aircrafts available on "key transcontinental routes" in case of a strike and Flair Airlines said they would match prices for customers affected by a possible strike.
— FlairAirlines (@FlairAirlines) May 18, 2018
