Conciliators brought in to end WestJet Encore dispute

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This article was published 02/02/2024 (974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The federal government has appointed two conciliation officers to help reach a collective agreement between WestJet Encore and its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

The union, representing 355 pilots with WestJet’s regional subsidiary, turned to Ottawa for a dispute resolution after contract talks reached a “near standstill” in mid-January.

The officers were tasked with facilitating discussions between the parties over pay disparities, administrative issues and potential impacts on the regional airline’s operations, union executive council chair Carin Kenny told the Sun on Thursday.

“The official conciliation period ends on March 26, with a subsequent 21-day cooling-off period,” Kenny said. “If no agreement is reached by April 17, the parties could enter into a legal strike position, potentially leading to disruptions in flight operations.”

Since September 2013, WestJet Encore has been providing a non-stop route from Brandon to Calgary International Airport, utilizing Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

Kenny said without adequate job protection and competitive wages aligning with the market standards in Canada, there is a risk of the pilots seeking opportunities elsewhere or with other carriers. The need for experienced pilots, she noted, is crucial within the airline to train replacements, especially in regional operations.

“Our Flow program, which guides pilots from regional to mainline operations, has experienced a halt, resulting in pilots leaving the regional market due to a lack of perceived future opportunities,” she said. “This presents a significant challenge in addressing and resolving these complex issues.”

The potential departure of pilots could have broad implications, particularly for smaller markets like Brandon.

Kenny highlighted the risk of WestJet Encore reconsidering the viability of routes, potentially affecting connectivity and passenger traffic. “If the company fails to retain enough regional pilots, the network connecting Brandon to various destinations could suffer, affecting passengers and the regional market at large.”

The pilots, she said, expressed frustration with management’s perceived lack of accountability in addressing fundamental issues.

“We’ve conducted multiple surveys, understanding the needs of our membership, and also interviewed departing pilots, seeking reasons for their departure from WestJet Encore. We’ve consistently communicated these issues to management. Management must take our proposals seriously; it’s not just about hourly pay, but also about our lifestyle.”

She said there are contract sections that don’t entail additional costs yet contribute to a positive working lifestyle for both pilots and the company, adding the company needs to genuinely consider and invest in the future of their pilots.

WestJet Encore’s media relations strategist, Madison Kruger, characterized conciliation as a common step in labour negotiations.

“We are committed to productive discussions in pursuit of reasonable outcomes to collaboratively reach an agreement with ALPA,” Kruger told the Sun via email. “Our focus remains on jointly addressing issues raised by our valued pilots and ensuring business as usual for the travelling public as we move through this process.”

As the negotiations unfold, Kenny said the industry awaits the outcome of the conciliation process and hopes for a resolution that balances the needs of WestJet Encore pilots, the company and the communities they serve.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

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