WestJet Encore pilots could soon be on strike and here's what it means for summer travel

Summer travel plans could be facing some turbulence as pilots at WestJet could soon be on strike.

WestJet Encore pilots have filed a strike notice amid ongoing negotiations between staff and the airline, with work stoppage possible as soon as June.

If you'll be travelling with the airline soon, here's what it could mean for your flight.

According to the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents WestJet Encore pilots, at 3 p.m. MT on May 29, pilots issued a 72-hour strike notice to WestJet Encore management and the government.

Under the strike notice, the union and WestJet will have 72 hours to negotiate a fair and equitable contract before the pilots can legally utilize all the options available to them under the Canada Labour Code, says the ALPA, including walking off the job.

While owned by parent company WestJet, WestJet Encore is a separate entity headquartered in Calgary. WestJet Encore operates flights to various destinations across Canada and has a flight crew of over 300 members represented by the ALPA.

The pilots have been in negotiations since September 2023 as the airline faced pilot attraction and retention issues and remaining pilots were left to fly a more challenging schedule, becoming overworked and facing increased fatigue issues, according to the ALPA.

In a news release, the ALPA says that after two weeks of bargaining following the pilots' rejection of a tentative agreement, some progress was made.

"However, both sides remain apart on addressing the issues of central importance to the pilot group," it says.

"After eight months of negotiating, and a failed [tentative agreement], unfortunately management has not recognized the pilots' needs," said Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore ALPA Master Executive Council.

"We have expressed to management that we are willing to work with them to further address the issues that clearly remain for our pilots."

According to WestJet, the rejected tentative agreement presented an offer that would make WestJet Encore pilots the highest-paid regional pilots in Canada, while delivering "industry-leading work-life balance standards and commitments to career progression."

The ALPA has said that WestJet Encore pilots are currently some of the lowest-paid regional pilots in the country.

With the strike notice, pilots at WestJet Encore could go on strike as early as June 1, unless a deal is reached.

On May 29, WestJet issued an advance lockout notice to the Air Line Pilots Association. According to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, a lockout is the "closing of a place of business or a suspension of work by an employee," and may be used by the employer to pressure the union into agreeing to terms and conditions of employment and sign a collective bargaining agreement.

“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 Encore service; we are hopeful that guest disruption can still be prevented,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airline and Group COO, in a statement.

The airline says that issuing a lockout notice does not mean travel disruption will occur, but that it will be taking "all necessary actions to manage the impacts as much as possible."

These actions include beginning preparations to operate a reduced WestJet Encore schedule, and proactively managing any changes or cancellations.

The airline says it will also be providing "flexible change and cancel options" for those who wish to make alternative arrangements. On its Guest Updates page, WestJet notes that it has implemented flexibility for tickets issued on or before June 1, 2024, travelling to or from a number of destinations in Canada and the U.S. between May 29 and June 1.

The airline also outlined a number of options for flight bookings and vacations for those whose trip is not cancelled, but may want to change or cancel their plans.

If your flight or vacation has been cancelled, the airline instructs travellers to check their inbox for an email from WestJet with the subject line "Essential or Crucial details for your upcoming flight" for self-serve or live chat options.

"Flight disruptions are never an ideal outcome for any pilot or their passengers. Our goal has never been to strike; our goal remains to negotiate a fair contract that works for both parties," says Kenny.

"However, we are ready for all outcomes, should the Company continue to ignore the value and experience we bring to our airline and ignore what is required to ensure that current and future pilots see the WestJet Group as a career destination."

This article's left-hand cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.