WestJet Issues Notice About Disrupted Cargo Operations Following Avoided Strike Action

WestJet has warned customers to expect irregular cargo operations after coming to a last-minute agreement with pilot unions to avert strike action.

Union members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) were today due to begin 72 hours of strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions.

In preparation, WestJet began cancelling flights and grounded the majority of its fleet.

In the end, the two parties came to an agreement last night but the airline is still playing catch up.

“WestJet Cargo is experiencing irregular operations as we work to reinstate the network,” the airline told customers.

“The WestJet Group and ALPA, the certified union representing WestJet and Swoop pilots, announced they have reached a tentative deal on the second collective bargaining agreement between the organisations.”

FlightGlobal reports that more than 100 flights had been cancelled ahead of the strike action.

Both parties now await the ratification vote to be put forward to membership.

The dispute comes just a few weeks after the carrier launched its first-ever freighter service using converted Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The dedicated freighters will fly between Halifax, Calgary, Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto and Vancouver and will be integrated with WestJet’s existing network alongside its existing fleet of over 100 B737 aircraft.