Talks between WestJet and the pilots’ union continue with the Friday strike deadline in sight, and WestJet says it has started to cancel flights ahead of the anticipated work stoppage.
The Air Line Pilots Association issued a strike notice Monday and 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its subsidiary Swoop are set to walk off the job as of 3 a.m. eastern daylight time.
WestJet’s CEO and the pilots’ union leaders as well as The federal labor minister and the government’s head mediator have all descended on a hotel near Toronto’s Pearson airport to work toward a deal.
Early Thursday WestJet issued a statement saying it has begun cancelling flights in preparation for the job action.
WestJet carries 28 per cent of Canada’s domestic market, while Air Canada runs 47 per cent, with more than 4,000 flights scheduled over the next seven days, according to flight data firm Cirium.
The airline is advising travelers to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport, and visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page or Swoop’s information hub for more information regarding travel changes and flight status.
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