WestJet today issued an advance lockout notice to the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the union that represents WestJet Encore pilots. As a result of the lockout notice, a work stoppage could occur as early as Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 6 p.m. MT, unless a deal is reached. The announcement comes following the failed ratification of the tentative agreement between the two parties on Friday, May 10, 2024. “The decision to issue notice was not made lightly, and we sincerely apologize for the uncertainty this causes for our guests and the Western Canadian regions that rely on WestJet Read more
westjet strike
My travel notebook today touches on a major anniversary for a big-time Hollywood studio, a potential WestJet pilots strike vote and a call for more tourism workers in Canada. I also have some thoughts about whether popular places such as Niagara Falls should be called “tourist traps.” THAT’S NOT ALL FOLKS: WARNER BROS. CELEBRATES A HUNDRED YEARS The studio that brought us Bugs Bunny, Casablanca, Batman, Friends, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, The Wizard of Oz and Big Bang Theory is celebrating a special anniversary TODAY. It was on April 4, 1923 that a group of four brothers, Harry, Albert, Read more
Inflation is running rampant these days, and airlines aren’t immune. A top expert from Hopper says the news could get worse soon for Canadian consumers. “Canadian domestic airfare in February is averaging $285 per ticket, in line with 2022 prices,” Hopper Economist Hayley Berg told the website MTL Blog. But she says international flight prices from Canada are up 24% compared to 2022, currently averaging $873 per ticket. WESTJET PILOTS STRIKE POSSIBILITY The union representing pilots at WestJet is asking for federal conciliation after both sides have come to an impasse during contract talks. Canadian Press reports that the WestJet Read more
As if Canada’s skies and airports weren’t chaotic enough this summer, there’s now the threat of a West Jet workers’ strike. WestJet workers in Calgary and Vancouver have voted overwhelmingly to support the bargaining committee and take strike action if a deal cannot be reached, as early as July 27, 2022, says Unifor. “The union is fighting for better wages,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “The pay scale has not been increased for more than five years, making WestJet’s wages among the lowest in the Canadian aviation industry and no match for soaring inflation. We are Read more
