Release #: WEN 19.01
April 05, 2019

WestJet Encore Pilots Reach Tentative Agreement on First Collective Agreement

OTTAWA, Ont.—WestJet Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) have reached a tentative agreement (TA) on the first-ever collective agreement for WestJet Encore (WEN) pilots. The TA, which includes many improvements to wages and working conditions, comes after nearly a year of tense negotiations.

“After months of hard-fought bargaining, we are pleased to have reached a collectively bargained tentative agreement, and we look forward to giving our pilots the opportunity to vote on it,” said Capt. Ryan Petrie, WEN ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman. “This TA represents a step in the right direction, bringing our pilot wages and working conditions more in line with our peers at other carriers.”

Capt. Petrie cautioned that specific TA details will not be released until the MEC has the opportunity to explain the agreement to its members over the coming weeks. No timelines have been set for ratification voting to take place.

Capt. Ryan Leier, WEN MEC vice chairman, also welcomes the TA and acknowledges those whose hard work made it possible: “We would like to thank all those involved who have given their time and energy to allow us to reach this milestone.” 

“We thank ALPA and the WEN Master Executive Council for their strong commitment to working with us to come to an agreement that truly represents the interests of their membership and our business as a whole,” said John Aaron, vice-president, Flight Operations for WestJet Encore. “We look forward to the ratification of the agreement to the benefit of our guests, employees, and shareholders.”

WestJet Encore pilots joined ALPA in 2017. The pilot group’s more than 500 members operate a fleet of 47 Bombardier Q400s from bases in Calgary, Alb., and Toronto, Ont.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 61,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter at @WeAreALPA and @ALPACanada.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org