For the first time in its history, pilots from WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline carrier, have elected interim pilot-union leaders.
The pilots elected Capt. Rob McFadyen as Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman, First Officer Tim Perry as MEC vice chairman and Capt. Dave Power as MEC secretary-treasurer. All three are Boeing 737 pilots.
The pilots look forward to building a relationship with WestJet management, McFadyen said.
The interim leaders will be tasked with establishing a negotiating committee to prepare for and begin contract negotiations under the Canada Labour Code, establish other committees, including a safety committee, and recruit WestJet pilots for Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) membership.
Earlier this year, WestJet voted to be represented by the ALPA. The airline also has temporary ALPA-appointed representatives.
“With ALPA representation, pilot unity plays an integral role in supporting the negotiating process,” ALPA President Tim Canoll said. “Today, these leaders start the hard work of bringing the entire WestJet pilot group together to reach a common goal—negotiating a collective agreement.”
Once the interim period is over, WestJet pilots who are ALPA members in good standing, will be eligible to vote and run for permanent leadership positions.
WestJet employs more than 1,400 pilots and operates 425 flights daily to 100 destinations.