Update: The strike was avoided after WestJet Group reached a last-minute agreement with the pilot union on Friday (May 19).

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After nine months of fruitless negotiations, the Air Line Pilots Association - the union representing over 1,600 WestJet and Swoop pilots - issued a strike notice to the WestJet Group on Monday (May 15).

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.

鈥� WestJet ALPA Pilots (@WestJetALPA)

The issues at stake revolve around better job protection, wages, and work schedules, which resulted in some 340 pilots leaving the airline in search of better job opportunities.

In response to the strike threats, the WestJet Group issued a lock-out notice shortly after.

In a tweet, WestJest CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech mentions that: 鈥渢he union maintains unreasonable expectations we see no alternative than to lock them out as of Friday.鈥�

We regret the union has served a strike notice. Our offer would have made our valued pilots by far the best paid in Canada. As the union maintains unreasonable expectations we see no alternative then to lock them out as of Friday 馃ゲ

鈥� Alexis von Hoensbroech (@AHoensbroech)

The carrier argues that its pilots are among the best paid in the nation, but that a contract on par with those recently settled by some U.S. pilot unions would be financially illogical, putting the company鈥檚 future in jeopardy.

For many, this labour dispute can prove to be a gut-wrenching experience.

鈥淚t鈥檚 my daughter鈥檚 first time flying by herself and I had felt secure about it because I knew she was gonna go there and come back and there was no in-between,鈥� said Shoshana Sahota, after helping her daughter check in for a flight out of the Comox Airport on Tuesday (May 16). 鈥淪he鈥檚 dyslexic and she can鈥檛 read or maneuver airports. She can鈥檛 go through another airport, get on a plane, and come back.鈥�

For others, the uncertainty of a strike and its possible extension is a source of anxiety.

鈥淚t is a bit stressful because my booking has already been changed once due to their scheduling changes,鈥� said WestJet passenger Ken Bryla. 鈥淭his would be the second time I鈥檝e had to re-book with WestJet.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e not guaranteeing me that they鈥檙e not going to charge me for those re-bookings. They may charge the difference in fare because the fare has gone up since I booked the flight.鈥�

Spokesperson for Comox Airport Erin Neely highlights that not all WestJet flights will be affected in the eventuality of a strike.

鈥淎s always, we recommend that passengers check with their airlines for flight status,鈥� said Neely. 鈥�(It is important to) remind those travelling on WestJet Encore and WestJet Link that these carriers are not part of the current negotiations.鈥�

ALSO: Union says WestJet pilots issue 72-hour strike notice, plan job action Friday

olivier.laurin@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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