WestJet and the pilots' union are still having discussions as the deadline for a potential strike approaches..The airline has already begun cancelling flights in preparation for the expected work stoppage..Around 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its subsidiary Swoop are getting ready to go on strike starting at 3 a.m. EST. .The Air Line Pilots Association gave notice of the strike on Monday..The minister of Labour, the government's mediator, WestJet's CEO, and the pilots' union gathered at a hotel near Toronto's Pearson airport to negotiate a new agreement..On Thursday morning, WestJet released a statement announcing that it has started to cancel flights, preparing for the upcoming job action..The majority of its 737 and 787 fleets will be parked, while WestJet Encore, WestJet Link, and limited 737 flights will continue operating, according to WestJet’s statement..WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech describes the union's demands as extreme, causing uncertainty for the travel plans of many Canadians just before the May long weekend..Bernard Lewall, leader of the WestJet union, stated that the workers' concerns are mainly related to wages, job security, and scheduling..Lewall pointed out that WestJet pilots earn approximately half of what their counterparts in the United States make..According to flight data firm Cirium, WestJet holds 28% of Canada's domestic market, operating over 4,000 flights in the next week..In comparison, Air Canada operates 47% of the market..WestJet urges travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport..They can find updates on WestJet's Guest Updates page or Swoop's information hub for details on flight status and any travel changes.
WestJet and the pilots' union are still having discussions as the deadline for a potential strike approaches..The airline has already begun cancelling flights in preparation for the expected work stoppage..Around 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its subsidiary Swoop are getting ready to go on strike starting at 3 a.m. EST. .The Air Line Pilots Association gave notice of the strike on Monday..The minister of Labour, the government's mediator, WestJet's CEO, and the pilots' union gathered at a hotel near Toronto's Pearson airport to negotiate a new agreement..On Thursday morning, WestJet released a statement announcing that it has started to cancel flights, preparing for the upcoming job action..The majority of its 737 and 787 fleets will be parked, while WestJet Encore, WestJet Link, and limited 737 flights will continue operating, according to WestJet’s statement..WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech describes the union's demands as extreme, causing uncertainty for the travel plans of many Canadians just before the May long weekend..Bernard Lewall, leader of the WestJet union, stated that the workers' concerns are mainly related to wages, job security, and scheduling..Lewall pointed out that WestJet pilots earn approximately half of what their counterparts in the United States make..According to flight data firm Cirium, WestJet holds 28% of Canada's domestic market, operating over 4,000 flights in the next week..In comparison, Air Canada operates 47% of the market..WestJet urges travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport..They can find updates on WestJet's Guest Updates page or Swoop's information hub for details on flight status and any travel changes.
