News Releases
CALGARY, Dec. 21, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today said that it has received the award of the arbitrator, Mr. William Kaplan, in the interest arbitration between WestJet, Swoop and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
The arbitrator's award, which is binding on all parties, follows mediated negotiations and formal arbitration hearings that have taken place since May 2018. The award sets the terms for the first collective agreement including all outstanding terms and conditions of employment for pilots at WestJet and Swoop.
"Today's award provides WestJet the ability to grow, operate a sustainable business and to compete effectively in the current operating environment," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "The conclusion of this first agreement allows us to now turn our attention to the arrival of WestJet's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner and our transition to a global network carrier. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our pilots as we deliver on our global future."
ALPA represents approximately 1,600 WestJet and Swoop pilots not including WestJet Encore. WestJet Encore pilots are represented by ALPA in a separate bargaining unit, which is currently engaged in collective bargaining with the company.
WestJet will meet with ALPA leadership in early January 2019 to review the terms of the award and work towards finalizing the collective agreement. Due to the scope and complexity of the work required, the airline will not provide further comment at this time. WestJet remains committed to working directly with the pilots' representation. The details of the collective agreement will be communicated when finalized.
About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.
WestJet is proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership
