Sunwing pilots filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board earlier this week, claiming that the airline bargained in bad faith as it already knew it would be acquired by WestJet. In a statement on Wednesday, Sunwing says it has reviewed a copy of Unifor Local 7378’s complaint and the union’s claim that Sunwing was sold to WestJet shortly after a renewal collective agreement was signed with its pilots in early 2021 is not true.

Barret Armann, who heads the union local representing the pilots, said they made concessions with the understanding the pandemic had imposed financial pressures on the airline, and that if the sale negotiations had been “transparent” Unifor could have pushed for job security language in case of an acquisition.

However, Sunwing says it bargained in good faith with pilots to reach fair agreement. In its statement the airline says, “Sunwing and the union reached a tentative agreement in bargaining on January 23, 2021 which was fair and reasonable. The renewal collective agreement was ratified by an overwhelming percentage of the union members voting on February 12, 2021. More than one year later, on March 2, 2022, WestJet announced an agreement under which the WestJet Group of Companies would acquire Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines. The proposed transaction remains conditional upon regulatory approval.

“The complaint is without merit, out of time and will be vigorously defended.

“Sunwing Airlines values all of its employees, who are integral to helping make our customers’ vacation dreams come true. Our pilots are vital to our operations. Sunwing Airlines will continue to promote positive labour relations in good faith as more of our customers return to travel and we continue to rebound from the pandemic.”