WestJet pilots might strike as of Tuesday as talks drag on

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TORONTO — WestJet pilots and their employer are persevering with to carry talks because the union warns {that a} walkout might come as early as Tuesday.

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The Air Line Pilots Affiliation, which represents some 1,600 flight crew at WestJet and subsidiary Swoop, says it’s poised to file a 72-hour strike discover simply after midnight.

The union held informational pickets at a number of Canadian airports this week, together with at Calgary Worldwide Airport.

Bernard Lewall, who heads the union’s WestJet contingent, says the employees’ points revolve round job safety, pay and scheduling, with some 340 pilots leaving the service over the previous 12 months and a half —largely to different airways.

WestJet says there have been thrice extra pilot hires than resignations at its mainline operation this 12 months.

The Calgary-based airline says its pilots are among the many greatest paid in Canada, however {that a} contract on par with these lately secured by some U.S. pilot teams could be financially unworkable and put the corporate’s future in danger.

Labour shortages proceed to plague the aviation trade, with a dearth of staff in areas starting from air site visitors management to floor dealing with because the sector begins to take off once more after the pandemic collapse and journey turmoil over the previous 12 months.