WestJet Encore pilots vote for strike mandate
CALGARY — WestJet Encore pilots could go on strike as soon as April 17 after they approved a strike mandate Tuesday.
The Air Line Pilots Association says aviators at WestJet’s regional carrier voted 97% in favour of strike authorization after contract talks around pay and career progression came to a “near standstill.” The 355 pilots can walk off the tarmac 72 hours after union leadership files a strike notice. The potential job action or lockout can only take place after a 21-day cooling-off period that kicked off when federal conciliation between the two sides ended last week.
Prince George has daily flights with WestJet to Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC), and the flights are operated by WestJet Encore and their fleet of DeHavilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Pilot Carin Kenny, who heads the union’s WestJet Encore contingent, says its workers are among the lowest-paid regional pilots in Canada, driving some to seek jobs elsewhere.
