WestJet’s CEO on Wednesday called the salary demands of the pilots’ union unreasonable and said a “substantial” gap remains between the two sides, as the airline prepares for a looming strike with no signs of a deal.
Speaking to Global News from a hotel north of Toronto where bargaining is taking place, Alexis von Hoensbroech called WestJet’s most recent offer to the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) “very reasonable but also very generous,” yet added the two sides remain far apart as the early Friday deadline to avert a strike inches closer. “The pilots’ expectations are fairly high,” he said. “The gap (between the two sides) is still substantial, but … we have to find the resolution that makes sense for both parties and not just one.” More than 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its Swoop subsidiary are poised to walk off the job as of 5 a.m.
Eastern on Friday after the union issued a strike notice Monday night. No update was given Wednesday on the status of the ongoing talks.
A strike would see flight cancellations and delays across WestJet’s network, putting thousands of travellers in limbo as they wait for a deal to be made.