Malcolm Posted June 15 Share Posted June 15 SUBSCRIBE WestJet Encore pilots ratify deal, averting strike By The Staff The Canadian Press Posted June 14, 2024 3:28 pm 1 min read View image in full screen A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., Friday, May 19, 2023. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press LEAVE A COMMENTSHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOKSHARE THIS ITEM ON TWITTERSEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAILSEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE WestJet Encore pilots have given the green light to a deal with their employer, averting a strike at the regional airline. The Air Line Pilots Association said its members have ratified a five-year contract that offers higher pay, more flexible schedules and “a better work-life balance.” The union says about 79 per cent of the pilots who cast a ballot approved the collective agreement, with the vast majority of the carrier’s 350-plus pilots participating in the vote. Calgary's breaking news sent to your email as it happens. Carin Kenny, who heads the union’s WestJet Encore contingent, said the deal establishes “a level of career progression” toward flying bigger planes at the carrier’s mainline operation — crucial to attracting new pilots and retaining those already on board.ces new ‘no frills’ tickets The contract goes into effect immediately, with retroactive pay to Jan. 1. The vote this week cemented a tentative agreement reached on May 30, steering clear of the turbulence wrought by 11th-hour deals of the sort reached last year between WestJet and mainline pilots as well as aviators at its now-shuttered Swoop subsidiary. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conehead Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 Westjet Maintenance will strike on Thursday. Following a challenging negotiations process with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union representing WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Tech Ops employees, WestJet made a formal request that the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) and Minister of Labour intervene under the Canada Labour code, on Monday June 17, 2024. This process would refer both WestJet and AMFA to arbitration for a first collective agreement and would allow an unbiased third-party to issue a collective agreement that would be binding on both parties. It would also prevent any labour action by either party. In response to WestJet’s request, AMFA issued a 72-hour strike notification, indicating intent for a work stoppage as early as Thursday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. MT. This 72-hour notice does not mean travel disruption will occur. “Requesting intervention on behalf of the CIRB and Minister of Labour under the Canada Labour Code allows an unbiased third-party to issue a reasonable collective agreement,” says Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer. “Through this process we aim to avoid disruption and ensure a fair and impartial resolution, providing certainty to our guests and the communities we serve who are relying on us to fulfill their summer travel plans, as well as providing stability and security for all employees at the WestJet Group.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 WestJet is cancelling dozens of flights as mechanic strike looms By Uday Rana Global News Posted June 19, 2024 8:14 am 1 min read WestJet is cancelling dozens of flights across Canada as unionized maintenance engineers at the company prepare to go on strike. The company said in a statement on Wednesday that it was going to cancel 40 flights as it prepares for labour action by WestJet aircraft maintenance engineers and other tech ops employees. The airline said the cancellation would affect around 6,500 passengers. The group said both guests and crew were being informed of the cancellations, which were being rolled out to minimize the potential of flights being stranded and abandoned in remote locations. On Monday, WestJet mechanics gave a 72-hour strike notice and said they were ready to walk off the job as early as Thursday night. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, which represents some 670 aircraft maintenance engineers and other skilled-trade positions at the carrier, says it made the decision after WestJet cut off talks this week. fare WestJet asked the federal labour minister to refer negotiations to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which would then arbitrate the terms of a collective agreement. In its statement Wednesday, the WestJet group said it “awaits a response on behalf of the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to intervene under the Canada Labour Code. If accepted, this action would refer both WestJet and AMFA to arbitration for a first collective agreement and prevent labour action by either party.” WestJet president Diederik Pen said arbitration would allow an unbiased third party to lay out a reasonable deal, and would bar a work stoppage in the meantime. However, the union, whose members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative agreement last week, opposes the move, saying it would undermine its goal of an “industry-changing contract.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted Thursday at 11:05 AM Share Posted Thursday at 11:05 AM Strike action off the table, for now. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/westjet-and-unionized-mechanics-agree-to-resume-talks-strike-action-is-off-the-table-1.2087426 WestJet and unionized mechanics agree to resume talks; strike action is off the table The threat of strike action by unionized mechanics at WestJet has been dropped after both sides agreed to return to the bargaining table. An overnight statement says the air carrier appeared before the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to discuss arbitration options with its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Tech Ops employees. CIRB officials say more information is needed from both sides before deciding whether arbitration is the best way to reach a first-time collective bargaining agreement. In the meantime, both parties have jointly agreed to return to the bargaining table and continue working towards a resolution. Union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative deal last week and voiced opposition to the airline's request for arbitration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrlupin Posted Thursday at 01:16 PM Share Posted Thursday at 01:16 PM The latest decision isn't in the CIRB decisions database yet. The information from AMFA's web site is somewhat different from what was posted above. https://www.amfanational.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=923429 AMFA-WJ Negotiations Update #21: CIRB Upholds Our Right to Strike; AMFA Rescinds Strike Notice That version suggests CIRB will let maintenance strike at Westjet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbofan Posted Thursday at 02:28 PM Share Posted Thursday at 02:28 PM The issue is that this is a first contract for WJ maintenance. The rules are different on a first CBA and either party can request arbitration. WestJet did the same thing to their pilots on CBA 1. Subsequent negotiations don’t have this. It’s good to see the CIRB being as hands off as possible. However I doubt the possibility of later intervention is completely eliminated, which might explain the differences in messaging. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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