Release #: WEN 24.06
April 15, 2024

WestJet Encore Pilot Leaders Approve Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification Vote

CALGARY, ALB.—Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore Master Executive Council, issued the following statement after WestJet Encore pilot leaders, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), voted to approve a full tentative agreement with management.

“After seven months of tough but respectful negotiating, we are pleased to announce we have reached a tentative agreement with management. This tentative agreement goes a long way towards addressing many of the long-standing issues for WestJet Encore pilots by bringing our wages and working conditions significantly more in line with those of our regional pilot counterparts across the country.

“Our goal has always been to reach an agreement that will help solve many of the airline’s pilot attraction and retention issues, provide industry-standard wages and working conditions, and provide a better work/life balance for our pilots.

“This tentative agreement delivers on providing better job security, industry-standard pay, and more flexible schedules to allow for a better work-life balance—consistent with the collective agreements of our regional counterparts across Canada.

“WestJet Encore was once seen as the first step to a successful career within the WestJet Group. For the past several years, we have become a training ground for pilots who leave to find better career opportunities elsewhere. This contract will go a long way towards changing that, making the WestJet Group a desired career choice once again. Over the coming days, our WestJet Encore membership will begin voting on the tentative agreement.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 77,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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