WestJet pilots have issued a 72-hour strike notice to the company and the government, according to the union that represents them, and they warn the airline could be shut down right before the May long weekend.
The Air Line Pilots Association said in a news release late Monday that pilots plan to begin lawful job action early Friday morning, which the release said 91裸聊视频渃ould include grounding all aircraft and effectively shutting down operations.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淔light disruptions are never an ideal outcome, especially given the tremendous support our guests have shown us, and we want to continue being a major contributor to our company91裸聊视频檚 success by helping WestJet realize its growth strategy,91裸聊视频� Bernard Lewall, who heads the union91裸聊视频檚 WestJet contingent, said in the news release.
91裸聊视频淗owever, WestJet pilots will withdraw our services to secure a contract that will fix many of the airline91裸聊视频檚 labour problems and make it a career destination for pilots once again.91裸聊视频�
The WestJet Group responded with a lockout notice, saying a work stoppage could occur as early as Friday at 3 a.m. MDT.
91裸聊视频淭he decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union today, was not one that was made lightly, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests,91裸聊视频� WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement.
The statement noted the lockout notice does not mean a work stoppage will occur, and that both parties remain at the bargaining table. But it said the company would 91裸聊视频渂egin preparations to operate a reduced schedule91裸聊视频� and warned it would be 91裸聊视频渁 significant reduction from WestJet and Swoop91裸聊视频檚 current networks.91裸聊视频�
WestJet said guests impacted by flight delays or cancellations will be refunded or re-accommodated as applicable.
The union represents some 1,600 flight crew at WestJet and subsidiary Swoop, and had warned Friday that a walkout could come as early as this week as talks dragged on.
Lewall said last week that the workers91裸聊视频� issues revolve around job protection, pay and scheduling, with some 340 pilots leaving the carrier over the past year and a half 91裸聊视频� mostly to other airlines.
In a statement last week, the Calgary-based airline said its pilots are among the best paid in Canada, but that a contract on par with those recently secured by some U.S. pilot groups would be financially unworkable and put the company91裸聊视频檚 future at risk.
The union said in its news release it could have filed the strike notice over the weekend, but in a bid to keep the airline operating, it agreed to extend negotiations.
The union noted that while progress was made on most non-cost items, both sides have been unable to reach an agreement.
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