Release #: WJA 17.01
May 24, 2017
WestJet Pilots Elect First Interim Pilot Union Leaders
New Master Executive Council Lays Foundation to Begin Contract Negotiations
OTTAWA, Ont.—WestJet pilots have elected their interim pilot union leaders for the first time in the airline’s history. The vote comes just weeks after a strong majority of the pilots voted for representation by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).
The newly elected Master Executive Council (MEC) officers are Capt. Rob McFadyen as MEC chairman, First Officer Tim Perry as MEC vice chairman, and Capt. Dave Power as MEC secretary-treasurer.
“We look forward to building a constructive relationship with WestJet management and moving forward as a strong, competitive airline,” said Capt. McFadyen.
Capt. McFadyen is a Boeing 737 pilot based in Calgary. He has flown for WestJet for 13 years. First Officer Perry also flies the Boeing 737 and is based in Toronto. He has flown for WestJet for seven years and served as an ALPA representative at his previous carrier, Calm Air. Capt. Power flies the Boeing 737. Based in Toronto, he has flown for WestJet for 10 years.
Along with the ALPA-appointed temporary representatives, these elected leaders make up the WestJet MEC, the basic union structure for the WestJet pilot group. The interim pilot union leaders will serve a temporary period, while working to recruit WestJet pilots for ALPA membership, setting up a Negotiating Committee to prepare for and begin contract negotiations under the Canada Labour Code, and establishing other key committees, such as Safety.
Following the temporary period, eligible WestJet pilots (ALPA members in good standing) will have the opportunity both to run and vote for permanent leadership positions. “With ALPA representation, pilot unity plays an integral role in supporting the negotiating process,” said ALPA president, Capt. Tim Canoll. “Today, these leaders start the hard work of bringing the entire WestJet pilot group together to reach a common goal—negotiating a collective agreement.”
WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline carrier with more than 1,400 pilots, has hubs in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto and headquarters in Calgary. WestJet pilots operate an average of 425 flights per day with service to 100 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 57,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org