Setting the record straight. Again.

[lostaviator]

I would like to thank WJ for raising my expectations for this contract.

"contracts need to reflect national labour laws, cost of living..."

With a cost index of 105 (US = 100) and purchasing power of 65 (US =100)Canada is a costlier country to live in.

My bar has been adjusted.

[Dockjock]

So the Canadian aviation industry is funded differently (understatement) than the American one. This is a good point. Canadian passengers are treated as a tax source, American passengers are invested in, vis a vis aviation infrastructure.

Beyond that though, are American flight attendants making double what a Canadian one makes? Are American FAs making $100k, service director $200k? Are American station attendants making $80k, dispatchers, AMEs, office staff? Are they all double what Canadians make?

So why are pilots asked to subsidize everyone else. That’s the entire argument. Nobody else subsidizes the industry with below standard wages like pilots.

The invocation of all income earners is insulting and irrelevant.

[RippleRock]

Ya. The "Swiss Miss" really tripped over his own mouth when he quoted cost of living as a reason to supress wages in this -insanely expensive- country. Didn't think that one through at all.

Our dollar goes no where up here. We're taxed into oblivion. That's before we are faced with the cost of apartment (forget about a house) ownership in cities like Vancouver or Toronto.

Over at Big Red, they have NO commuter policy, and they expect you to be at your base. Vancouver and Toronto are the biggest and most expensive to reside in by far. It's a complete friggin joke. Our wages need serious adjusting to reflect that humor.

[hsilgnepilot]

So the Canadian aviation industry is funded differently (understatement) than the American one. This is a good point. Canadian passengers are treated as a tax source, American passengers are invested in, vis a vis aviation infrastructure.

Beyond that though, are American flight attendants making double what a Canadian one makes? Are American FAs making $100k, service director $200k? Are American station attendants making $80k, dispatchers, AMEs, office staff? Are they all double what Canadians make?

So why are pilots asked to subsidize everyone else. That’s the entire argument. Nobody else subsidizes the industry with below standard wages like pilots.

The invocation of all income earners is insulting and irrelevant.

I do know for a fact that United dispatchers are making well over 200k after 10+ years of service, so yes.

[Fanblade]

So the Canadian aviation industry is funded differently (understatement) than the American one. This is a good point. Canadian passengers are treated as a tax source, American passengers are invested in, vis a vis aviation infrastructure.

Beyond that though, are American flight attendants making double what a Canadian one makes? Are American FAs making $100k, service director $200k? Are American station attendants making $80k, dispatchers, AMEs, office staff? Are they all double what Canadians make?

So why are pilots asked to subsidize everyone else. That’s the entire argument. Nobody else subsidizes the industry with below standard wages like pilots.

The invocation of all income earners is insulting and irrelevant.

I do know for a fact that United dispatchers are making well over 200k after 10+ years of service, so yes.

Dispatchers are another group not paid nearly as high as their colleagues south of the border. Not sure exactly why.

Anyone know how that developed?

[cdnavater]

Did you know, some of your “best pilots are making more than the Prime Minister”
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2689169

[rando]

Did you know, some of your “best pilots are making more than the Prime Minister”
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2689169

The mental gymnastics is incredible. WestJet has some of the best pilots in the world, but we can't afford to pay them more than half what a pilot makes in America.

Some of WestJet pilots make more than the prime minister... But so does a TTC transit operator.

This guy should just go hide until this is over, and say nothing. Keep up the good work pilots. Stay professional, hold your ground, you are clearly winning and from everything I hear from the general public you have lots of support.

[GooseDriver]

How about a Prime Minister level pension plan?

[RoAF-Mig21]

Not sure if this was posted yet:


The WestJet Group begins flight cancellations in anticipation of WestJet and Swoop pilot strike

As the WestJet Group prepares for labour action by WestJet and Swoop pilots, the airline has started taking down its network. This action ensures the airline can avoid abandoning aircraft in remote locations without support and enables the proactive communication with guests and crew to minimize the potential for being stranded. The decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group remains in a stalemate with the union regarding unreasonable wage expectations that if realized would permanently damage the financial viability of the group’s future.

“We are extremely disheartened to find ourselves in a place where we have to activate our contingency plan and subsequent takedown of our network as a result of the strike notice served by ALPA and their inability to accept a reasonable offer. We deeply regret the disruption this will have on the travel plans of our guests and the communities and businesses that rely on our critical air service,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer, the WestJet Group. “We remain at a critical impasse with the union and have been left with no choice but to begin taking the painful steps of preparing for the reality of a work stoppage.”

Given that a tentative agreement has not yet been reached, the WestJet Group is parking the majority of its 737 and 787 fleet, in a measured, phased and safe approach. WestJet Encore, WestJet Link as well as limited 737 flights will continue to operate during this time.

“We remain at the bargaining table, unequivocally committed to achieving a deal as soon as possible, but are equally ready to weather labour action for as long as it takes to arrive at a reasonable outcome,” continued von Hoensbroech. “Any guest impact is too high of a cost in the wake of these negotiations and we sincerely apologize that valued guests were caught in the middle of an avoidable conflict.”

Guests travelling are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. Please visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page or Swoop’s information hub for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more.

Link:
https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2023 ... ipation-of

[TFTMB heavy]

Not sure if this was posted yet:


The WestJet Group begins flight cancellations in anticipation of WestJet and Swoop pilot strike

As the WestJet Group prepares for labour action by WestJet and Swoop pilots, the airline has started taking down its network. This action ensures the airline can avoid abandoning aircraft in remote locations without support and enables the proactive communication with guests and crew to minimize the potential for being stranded. The decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group remains in a stalemate with the union regarding unreasonable wage expectations that if realized would permanently damage the financial viability of the group’s future.

“We are extremely disheartened to find ourselves in a place where we have to activate our contingency plan and subsequent takedown of our network as a result of the strike notice served by ALPA and their inability to accept a reasonable offer. We deeply regret the disruption this will have on the travel plans of our guests and the communities and businesses that rely on our critical air service,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer, the WestJet Group. “We remain at a critical impasse with the union and have been left with no choice but to begin taking the painful steps of preparing for the reality of a work stoppage.”

Given that a tentative agreement has not yet been reached, the WestJet Group is parking the majority of its 737 and 787 fleet, in a measured, phased and safe approach. WestJet Encore, WestJet Link as well as limited 737 flights will continue to operate during this time.

“We remain at the bargaining table, unequivocally committed to achieving a deal as soon as possible, but are equally ready to weather labour action for as long as it takes to arrive at a reasonable outcome,” continued von Hoensbroech. “Any guest impact is too high of a cost in the wake of these negotiations and we sincerely apologize that valued guests were caught in the middle of an avoidable conflict.”

Guests travelling are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. Please visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page or Swoop’s information hub for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more.

Link:
https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2023 ... ipation-of

Mostly to avoid all the penalties they would have to pay to passengers in Europe.

[snowcone]

Question from a non WestJeter.

Did your CEO get a "top up" to match his compensation package to his peers in the US just like Air Canada's CEO did (12 million)?

[Airbrake]

Question from a non WestJeter.

Did your CEO get a "top up" to match his compensation package to his peers in the US just like Air Canada's CEO did (12 million)?

We don’t know as the company is private. That info is not provided to the rank and file employee.

[dontcallmeshirley]

Question from a non WestJeter.

Did your CEO get a "top up" to match his compensation package to his peers in the US just like Air Canada's CEO did (12 million)?