WestJet Encore Pilots File for Conciliation

[GetAGripen]

Source: ALPA

CALGARY, Alb.—The WestJet Encore pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today filed a request for conciliation assistance with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service with regard to collective bargaining at their airline.

The federal conciliation process allows the WestJet Encore pilot group the opportunity to seek government assistance to reach an agreement with the Company on their second collective agreement. WestJet Encore pilots and management began formal negotiations in September 2023.

“Progress was made in the early stages of the negotiating process, with a robust exchange of proposals and tentative agreements on relatively noncomplicated sections of the collective agreement, however, the parties still remain far apart on multiple key issues,” said Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore Master Executive Council. “Momentum at the negotiating table has come to a near standstill since talks shifted to larger, more significant contract sections, including pay and scope.”

After months of negotiating, management still fails to understand the fundamental fact that without any drastic improvement on career progression, seniority, and career recognition, there is little stopping WestJet Encore pilots from seeking better employment opportunities.

Membership survey data clearly shows WestJet Encore pilots are looking to be part of a company that values the talent and experience they bring to the workplace. The pilots are consistently advocating for enhanced working conditions, assured career progression, and overdue recognition within the WestJet group. The pilots have provided solutions to the Company which thus far have fallen on deaf ears.

“We continue to face numerous setbacks to our careers as WestJet Encore pilots. It’s clear that our management refuses to remain accountable for their missteps,” Kenny continued. “Despite preferring to have a career within the WestJet group of companies, experienced pilots are leaving due to the poor wages, working conditions, and unknown career progression. Why wouldn’t our employer work with us to fix the fundamental issues plaguing our airline?”

With this request for conciliation, the minister of Labour now has 15 days to appoint a conciliation officer. Once appointed, the officer will work with the parties for 60 days to reach an agreement. If both parties remain at an impasse following this period, a 21-day cooling-off period begins before the parties can engage in self-help.

December seniority list sitting at 361 pilots(171 CAs, 188 FOs), significant reduction in flow, at least 12 tails in storage, major cutback in hours flown recently.. How spicy will it get?

[Me262]

From pay/benefits POV, seems Jazz has currently the better offers until Encore gets their new deal.

BTW, what happened with the $850/month extra pay, it was suppose to end end of 2023 because an agreement was expected to be reached.

[Canadaflyer46]

They’ve also pulled REIP payments for anyone that has flowed and is received the instalments. Oh, and only 4 pilots are to flow this year. But according to the recent pilot call they’re making great progress at the bargaining table

[dontcallmeshirley]

They’ve also pulled REIP payments for anyone that has flowed and is received the instalments. Oh, and only 4 pilots are to flow this year. But according to the recent pilot call they’re making great progress at the bargaining table

Twenty pilots flowing. Don't confuse the bid date and the award date.

BTW, what happened with the $850/month extra pay, it was suppose to end end of 2023 because an agreement was expected to be reached.

That remains until the new contract is in place. We haven't had the payment due yet in 2024, so we'll see by month's end.

[Me262]

I'm just glad they deferred me after telling me I should consider them over Jazz because they pay more + 850/m with a new contract by end of the year.

Meanwhile Jazz increased their pay almost 10k/year higher, and they cover the hotel and commute on weekends during training vs me having to find a crashpad for 2 months in this market. And I can be based closer to home.

[GetAGripen]

I'm just glad they deferred me after telling me I should consider them over Jazz because they pay more + 850/m with a new contract by end of the year.

Meanwhile Jazz increased their pay almost 10k/year higher, and they cover the hotel and commute on weekends during training vs me having to find a crashpad for 2 months in this market. And I can be based closer to home.

Yeah I've heard of Talent being a bit scummy with this recently.

Year 1 Encore FO base pay right now works out to $57,459, $52.51 at 75 MMG + 850/mo.
Jazz I believe is $64.95 at 82.5 MMG so $64,300.
Porter is at $72 at 75 MMG so $64,800.

Mainline WestJet FO starts at $76,083.3, so I don't imagine we'd ever get that high(unfortunately).

Overall WAWCON and total compensation is a lot more complicated obviously, but at a glance I wouldn't take a penny less than $65K base to start on a new contract.

[Me262]

I'm just glad they deferred me after telling me I should consider them over Jazz because they pay more + 850/m with a new contract by end of the year.

Meanwhile Jazz increased their pay almost 10k/year higher, and they cover the hotel and commute on weekends during training vs me having to find a crashpad for 2 months in this market. And I can be based closer to home.

Yeah I've heard of Talent being a bit scummy with this recently.

Year 1 Encore FO base pay right now works out to $57,459, $52.51 at 75 MMG + 850/mo.
Jazz I believe is $64.95 at 82.5 MMG so $64,300.
Porter is at $72 at 75 MMG so $64,800.

Mainline WestJet FO starts at $76,083.3, so I don't imagine we'd ever get that high(unfortunately).

Overall WAWCON and total compensation is a lot more complicated obviously, but at a glance I wouldn't take a penny less than $65K base to start on a new contract.

Jazz is 85 MMG! so $66249, higher than Porter currently (for Q)

Meanwhile mainline WJ FO is tons better at 76k vs AC 55k. But I expect it to change drastically, just like Jazz was a paltry 41k just 4 months ago and now 66k for year 1 FOs.

[CaptDukeNukem]

I'm just glad they deferred me after telling me I should consider them over Jazz because they pay more + 850/m with a new contract by end of the year.

Meanwhile Jazz increased their pay almost 10k/year higher, and they cover the hotel and commute on weekends during training vs me having to find a crashpad for 2 months in this market. And I can be based closer to home.

Yeah I've heard of Talent being a bit scummy with this recently.

Year 1 Encore FO base pay right now works out to $57,459, $52.51 at 75 MMG + 850/mo.
Jazz I believe is $64.95 at 82.5 MMG so $64,300.
Porter is at $72 at 75 MMG so $64,800.

Mainline WestJet FO starts at $76,083.3, so I don't imagine we'd ever get that high(unfortunately).

Overall WAWCON and total compensation is a lot more complicated obviously, but at a glance I wouldn't take a penny less than $65K base to start on a new contract.

Jazz is 85 MMG! so $66249, higher than Porter currently (for Q)

Meanwhile mainline WJ FO is tons better at 76k vs AC 55k. But I expect it to change drastically, just like Jazz was a paltry 41k just 4 months ago and now 66k for year 1 FOs.

How many credits are you scheduled for the month of January?

Edit: also how many days off?

[GetAGripen]

I'm just glad they deferred me after telling me I should consider them over Jazz because they pay more + 850/m with a new contract by end of the year.

Meanwhile Jazz increased their pay almost 10k/year higher, and they cover the hotel and commute on weekends during training vs me having to find a crashpad for 2 months in this market. And I can be based closer to home.

Yeah I've heard of Talent being a bit scummy with this recently.

Year 1 Encore FO base pay right now works out to $57,459, $52.51 at 75 MMG + 850/mo.
Jazz I believe is $64.95 at 82.5 MMG so $64,300.
Porter is at $72 at 75 MMG so $64,800.

Mainline WestJet FO starts at $76,083.3, so I don't imagine we'd ever get that high(unfortunately).

Overall WAWCON and total compensation is a lot more complicated obviously, but at a glance I wouldn't take a penny less than $65K base to start on a new contract.

Jazz is 85 MMG! so $66249, higher than Porter currently (for Q)

Meanwhile mainline WJ FO is tons better at 76k vs AC 55k. But I expect it to change drastically, just like Jazz was a paltry 41k just 4 months ago and now 66k for year 1 FOs.

Oh yeah? Sweet, even better. Now I want $66.5 or more!
I wish the proper scales would just be posted somewhere. FlyJazz and PCC still say 82.5. I suppose we have to keep certain influencers away.

[triplebarrel]

It's getting spicy alright. There is a pile of encore pilots who deferred their AC start date (old news). The Sunwing merger makes future flow very questionable and uncertain even for the folks with a seniority number. Does anyone know why WJ Mainline pilots "took away"/ voted against keeping the PTA? I don't want to speak from my ass. Apparently, they did it with some good intentions LoL seriously though maybe a WJ pilot can chime in to provide some friendly education.

Porter announced a new base in CYVR for the E2, good for them, they pay pretty alright and according to a buddy at Porter, they are announcing QOL/pay incr./ updates today. ($76,500 for E2 FO, $76kish for WJ FO) I think AC is still looking for another 800 pilots in 2024.

Not much for career progression at Encore right now for those people hired in 2024 due to the abolishment of the PTA. Weird concept, feed your regional, keep pilots happy, and give them a pathway to the future while keeping the right staffing levels at your regional sounds dumb I guess. Another pile of pilots are holding off on their upgrades until the new contract. What else did I forget. The outcome of the contract will display what WestJet thinks of Encore. I think it is a sinking ship

edit: added pay for co-pilots on E2 vs WJ

[Dronepiper]

When is the earliest that a strike can occur?

[triplebarrel]

When is the earliest that a strike can occur?

mid april ish