WestJet pilots reject unionization

In a close vote, WestJet pilots have declined to unionize, with 55 per cent of ballots cast in opposition to the proposal.

According to the WestJet Professional Pilots Association, 1,247 pilots cast a ballot in the unionization vote (held from July 22 to Aug. 5), with 561 in favour and 684 opposed.

Yesterday, the WPPA stated that “while naturally disappointed with this result, we hope the open discussions that have taken place as part of this process will set the stage for constructive dialogue between our pilots and WestJet Leadership going forward.”

Following the vote's outcome, WestJet president and CEO Gregg Saretsky made the following statement:

"We are pleased that the majority of our pilots who voted have voted against union representation.... Despite the positive outcome, there is continued work that needs to take place to better understand some of the issues for our pilot group and we can now turn our efforts to that goal."

Voting on the union proposal began last month after the WPPA filed for certification with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board in June, the first step toward becoming a legally-recognized union.