Encore hiring Foreign Workers??

[737Drver]

The MEC was informed by the Company that they received approval from the government to move ahead with its plan to hire pilots through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program at WestJet Encore citing an inability to attract pilots to the airline. The Company plans to advertise for these positions soon, if not already and hire by June of 2025.



This decision, made by the regional office staff within the federal government is an egregious error in judgement at a time when our country should be protecting Canadian Jobs, especially given the current landscape with ever evolving tariffs.



As everyone can imagine, this news was not welcoming to hear as we have been opposing this application through the government. As communicated before, we have never opposed legal immigration with a stable path to citizenship, however it is never appropriate for a company to lure a pilot and their family with the hopes of obtaining permanent residency but not have a clear commitment in writing that they will fulfil their promise.



It is apparent the Company has not taken these issues seriously as it charges forward with this problematic, short-sighted, band-aid solution that will ultimately destabilize our workforce, erode trust, and cause irreparable damage to the labour relations we have worked so hard to establish. We all know there are solutions to attracting and retaining skilled professional pilots that don’t involve utilizing a federal program that was never intended for this purpose.



Hiring temporary foreign pilots is just a thinly veiled substitute for addressing the issues we all see. Sadly, the Company would rather put its effort into hiring from abroad, with no longer term strategy in place, than doing what is needed to make WestJet Encore an attractive career destination is incredibly disappointing.



Our discussions in December indicated at the time that the Company was interested in a more permanent solution; we are surprised they have chosen to continue down this path instead. The Company should be focused on career progression and job security from within our pilot group and on attracting Canadian Pilots to WestJet Encore.



In addition, hiring foreign pilots on a temporary basis raises several issues. For example, hiring pilots from countries with potentially less rigorous training requirements raises concerns, whether warranted or not, about safety. Moreover, a temporary pilot will likely have less personal stake in the Company or in the betterment of the pilot group as a whole. Furthermore, the Company still has not advised the Association on how these pilots are going to be licensed in Canada.



We are exploring all legal remedies in conjunction with ALPA Canada in response to this latest move by the Company.

[5degrees]

Jesus Christ, that's embarrassing.

[A310Heavy]

What's embarrassing is they convinced enough Encore pilots to vote Yes to pathetic wages by saying they were going to shut down the operation.

Now they can't find pilots to fly their "grounded" Q400s so need to find some cheap labour from India.

Would they even come for such shit wages?

[canadianfly]

What did you guys expect when we allowed a foreigner to lead one of our best iconic Canadian companies, he already signed a massive maintenance contract with Lufthansa his national carrier, this guy is working for his own country and couldn't care less about ours, he's gonna wreck our industry then he'll take a one way ticket to his country with the golden check that you and i signed for him and leaving us in a disarray.

WestJet's CEO needs to have his work visa revoked immediately, I'm reaching out to my local MP to see what i can do, so should every free man and woman do in this Country.

That gl@ryhole Westjet is drilling is gonna flood our industry not only sinking it down the seabed but will also be drilling into the Ocean crust. We need to mobilize and stop that wolf in cheep's clothing pretty fast...

[dumpsterfire]

Canadian pilots need to stop being pussies and start causing chaos until respect is given.

Respect is earned and the ways of giving in for the "best deal" over & over again is making alpa look bad. Enough with the suits. Time for action.

What a dumpster fire

[ShillBill]

Where is JBI & Bede on this?

Too busy pushing yes votes & shilling for WJ?

Can you imagine ALPA allowing Delta to hire foreign workers on visas??

LOL

[Bede]

Where is JBI & Bede on this?

Too busy pushing yes votes & shilling for WJ?

Can you imagine ALPA allowing Delta to hire foreign workers on visas??

LOL

I don't work for WJ anymore. Haven't for some time. I work for Employment and Social Development Canada now.

[N181CS]

“WestJet's CEO needs to have his work visa revoked”

The individual in charge of WJ has his PR card.

[canadianfly]

Ok. Well more than 40 million Canadians and we need to bring a foreigner? This is so disrespectful.
No offence to immigrants as I'm one of them, but went through the proper channels step by step.

[Inverted2]

If you can, leave the place. Let them hire all the third worlders with questionable flying skills then sit back and watch it unfold.

[3rdWorldClassPilot]

Where is JBI & Bede on this?

Too busy pushing yes votes & shilling for WJ?

Can you imagine ALPA allowing Delta to hire foreign workers on visas??

LOL

I don't work for WJ anymore. Haven't for some time. I work for Employment and Social Development Canada now.

Lol Bede...we all know you would do anything but fight

[JustaCanadian]

Interesting to see the gov thought this should be approved at a time when many Canadians are unemployed. I keep seeing pictures of empty terminals for US flights. But at the same time we are so busy you can't find anyone to work?

I guess our economy is firing on a cylinders and we really can't find any Canadians who need jobs. Better use the TFW program.

[JBI]

Where is JBI & Bede on this?

Too busy pushing yes votes & shilling for WJ?

Can you imagine ALPA allowing Delta to hire foreign workers on visas??

LOL

I'd recommend re-reading the MEC's Statement in a little more detail. Lots of information in there about ALPA's next steps. Very hard to suggest that ALPA is 'allowing' this.

While I am not condoning it, US airlines (some represented by ALPA) have been hiring pilots through the E3 visa program which permits temporary foreign workers to fly for US carriers for quite some time.

To clarify, "am not condoning" means I don't support it.

[Inverted2]

Canada brought thousands of truck drivers in through the TFW program and those guys are consummate professionals who have exemplary safety records. I am not the least bit concerned.

When was the last time you saw a truck from Brampton rolled over in the ditch on the 401 or caught smuggling 300kg of cocaine into Canada?

[CPU2000]

Where is JBI & Bede on this?

Too busy pushing yes votes & shilling for WJ?

Can you imagine ALPA allowing Delta to hire foreign workers on visas??

LOL

I'd recommend re-reading the MEC's Statement in a little more detail. Lots of information in there about ALPA's next steps. Very hard to suggest that ALPA is 'allowing' this.

While I am not condoning it, US airlines (some represented by ALPA) have been hiring pilots through the E3 visa program which permits temporary foreign workers to fly for US carriers for quite some time.

To clarify, "am not condoning" means I don't support it.

The E3 Visa is a different beast. The E-3 visa was created as a result of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) helps Canadian employers fill labor shortages when qualified Canadians are not available.

So in other words...instead of paying for pilots, WestJet wants to fill their ranks with foreigners.

Embarrassing for WJ Encore ALPA to negotiate a deal where the government would agree to this. Pretty clear they negotiated below market rates if they can say they need foreign workers instead of Canadians.

Yes voters & Encore MEC should be embarrassed.

[PeakLeverage]

Canada brought thousands of truck drivers in through the TFW program and those guys are consummate professionals who have exemplary safety records. I am not the least bit concerned.

When was the last time you saw a truck from Brampton rolled over in the ditch on the 401 or caught smuggling 300kg of cocaine into Canada?

You're not worried about foreign pilots reducing the pilot labour market? Do you want a shittier contract? Worse outcomes for Canadian pilots?

[Inverted2]

Canada brought thousands of truck drivers in through the TFW program and those guys are consummate professionals who have exemplary safety records. I am not the least bit concerned.

When was the last time you saw a truck from Brampton rolled over in the ditch on the 401 or caught smuggling 300kg of cocaine into Canada?

You're not worried about foreign pilots reducing the pilot labour market? Do you want a shittier contract? Worse outcomes for Canadian pilots?

I was being sarcastic. Sheesh. I have a friend who drives trucks. I hear all about the third worlders and how they ruined the trucking industry. He doesn’t hold back. That’s what’s going to happen to aviation. Right now there’s 1000 Indians in India playing Microsoft Flight Simulator and learning their Q400 office.

[JungleRiot]

They should send the AR guys to encore for CA3 so they can finally work for a living.

[ShillBill]

Where is JBI & Bede on this?

Too busy pushing yes votes & shilling for WJ?

Can you imagine ALPA allowing Delta to hire foreign workers on visas??

LOL

I'd recommend re-reading the MEC's Statement in a little more detail. Lots of information in there about ALPA's next steps. Very hard to suggest that ALPA is 'allowing' this.

While I am not condoning it, US airlines (some represented by ALPA) have been hiring pilots through the E3 visa program which permits temporary foreign workers to fly for US carriers for quite some time.

To clarify, "am not condoning" means I don't support it.

The E3 Visa is a different beast. The E-3 visa was created as a result of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) helps Canadian employers fill labor shortages when qualified Canadians are not available.

So in other words...instead of paying for pilots, WestJet wants to fill their ranks with foreigners.

Embarrassing for WJ Encore ALPA to negotiate a deal where the government would agree to this. Pretty clear they negotiated below market rates if they can say they need foreign workers instead of Canadians.

Yes voters & Encore MEC should be embarrassed.

And anyone that pushed the fear narrative the WJ would shutdown the Q400 operation because the pilots make too much.

Seriously, how F'n stupid are some of you.

[cdnavater]

I'd recommend re-reading the MEC's Statement in a little more detail. Lots of information in there about ALPA's next steps. Very hard to suggest that ALPA is 'allowing' this.

While I am not condoning it, US airlines (some represented by ALPA) have been hiring pilots through the E3 visa program which permits temporary foreign workers to fly for US carriers for quite some time.

To clarify, "am not condoning" means I don't support it.

The E3 Visa is a different beast. The E-3 visa was created as a result of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) helps Canadian employers fill labor shortages when qualified Canadians are not available.

So in other words...instead of paying for pilots, WestJet wants to fill their ranks with foreigners.

Embarrassing for WJ Encore ALPA to negotiate a deal where the government would agree to this. Pretty clear they negotiated below market rates if they can say they need foreign workers instead of Canadians.

Yes voters & Encore MEC should be embarrassed.

And anyone that pushed the fear narrative the WJ would shutdown the Q400 operation because the pilots make too much.

Seriously, how F'n stupid are some of you.

Has anyone ever told you how fu cken annoying you are, never mind that was a stupid question, of course that’s happened.

[FelixGustof]

The E3 Visa is a different beast. The E-3 visa was created as a result of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) helps Canadian employers fill labor shortages when qualified Canadians are not available.

So in other words...instead of paying for pilots, WestJet wants to fill their ranks with foreigners.

Embarrassing for WJ Encore ALPA to negotiate a deal where the government would agree to this. Pretty clear they negotiated below market rates if they can say they need foreign workers instead of Canadians.

Yes voters & Encore MEC should be embarrassed.

And anyone that pushed the fear narrative the WJ would shutdown the Q400 operation because the pilots make too much.

Seriously, how F'n stupid are some of you.

Has anyone ever told you how fu cken annoying you are, never mind that was a stupid question, of course that’s happened.

Aren't you that arrogant Jazz pilot who thinks his $150k Cdn salary is good? Isn't that like a $100k US? What is that...like the starting wage for regional pilot down south??

[3rdWorldClassPilot]

Lol...Canadian pilots make too much so they are going to shut down operations.

It is shocking how little some pilots think of themselves in this country...

[cdnavater]

Lol...Canadian pilots make too much so they are going to shut down operations.

It is shocking how little some pilots think of themselves in this country...

It is shocking that a person can’t see how that would’ve happened!
Here is a question for you, don’t respond to quickly because you should give it some thought!
Did Encore raise the wages to attract Canadians to the job or did they keep the wages the same and apply to the government for TFWs?

[3rdWorldClassPilot]

Lol...Canadian pilots make too much so they are going to shut down operations.

It is shocking how little some pilots think of themselves in this country...

It is shocking that a person can’t see how that would’ve happened!
Here is a question for you, don’t respond to quickly because you should give it some thought!
Did Encore raise the wages to attract Canadians to the job or did they keep the wages the same and apply to the government for TFWs?

Here is a question for you, don’t respond to quickly because you should give it some thought!

Did the Encore MEC negotiate raised wages that would have attracted Canadians to the job or did they sell a deal with fear?

Now that they pushed through a TA with the fear of shutting down the operation, the company applied to the government to get foreign workers because they cant find pilots.

[cdnavater]

Lol...Canadian pilots make too much so they are going to shut down operations.

It is shocking how little some pilots think of themselves in this country...

It is shocking that a person can’t see how that would’ve happened!
Here is a question for you, don’t respond to quickly because you should give it some thought!
Did Encore raise the wages to attract Canadians to the job or did they keep the wages the same and apply to the government for TFWs?

Here is a question for you, don’t respond to quickly because you should give it some thought!

Did the Encore MEC negotiate raised wages that would have attracted Canadians to the job or did they sell a deal with fear?

Now that they pushed through a TA with the fear of shutting down the operation, the company applied to the government to get foreign workers because they cant find pilots.

Holy fu ck you are a thick one! Encore negotiated what they could get, the company threatened to shut it down not the other way around!
You clearly didn’t give my question any thought because your answer is exactly the nonsense you’ve been spewing for months, just plain fu ckn ignorance to reality!
The COMPANY set the line in the sand, is refusing to budge and now went crying to the government, no doubt they said, “we are paying exactly what Porter is paying but still not getting any qualified applicants” and the government who is also ignorant said, “yes we can clearly see you are making a good effort, so here is your approval for TFWs”
Let’s use Jazz as an example, they raised our wages, AC drew its line in the sand which was lower than our negotiated wages but we voted to take the raise knowing full well it wouldn’t fix anything. It didn’t, we still can’t attract captain ready applicants, it’s been over a year now, still no raises. They would rather increase the A220 fleet than pay regional pilots enough to make it an attractive place to be. Now Jazz is shrinking its fleet to 80 ahead of the CPA fleet guarantee, why, because we can’t staff more than that and they made no effort to change that since September 2023!
Everybody talks about the US regional but it is a different beast, I do believe the airlines get subsidies to serve smaller markets with regional aircraft but I’m not certain, either way their market is different, we can hire fresh students and put them in the flight deck with fresh Captains, I wonder how that will turn out!
I don’t blame Encore pilots one bit for believing the threat, only a complete buffoon wouldn’t, you could roll the dice and call their bluff but that’s a gamble most pilots wouldn’t take at a regional airline!