Pilots at WestJet’s regional carrier could have been  on strike at the beginning of June. The Air Line Pilots Association said Wednesday afternoon that WestJet Encore pilots have issued a 72-hour strike notice to management and the government. However  a statement issued Thursday said a tentative agreement had been reached.

Wednesday’s announcement by the union said some progress has been made after two weeks of bargaining following the pilots’ rejection of a tentative agreement, but the sides remain apart on key issues.

The union Kenny said its workers are among the lowest-paid regional pilots in Canada.

WestJet said the tentative agreement rejected earlier this month would have made them some of the highest paid.

Meanwhile, the airline issued an advance lockout notice to the union, saying a work stoppage could occur as early as 6 p.m. mountain time on Saturday if no deal is reached.

NEW STATEMENT ISSUED THURSDAY

Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore Master Executive Council, issued the following statement after WestJet Encore pilot leaders, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), voted to approve a full tentative agreement with management. This agreement ends the possibility of a June 1 strike. 

“After our pilots rejected the tentative agreement presented to them last month, citing the WestJet Group’s failure to address issues of central importance to the pilot group, we are very pleased to announce we have reached a new tentative agreement with management which addresses those issues.

“Our goal has always been to reach an agreement that will help solve many of the airline’s pilot attraction and retention issues, provide industry-standard wages and working conditions, and provide a better work/life balance for our pilots,” said Kenny. “Over the coming days, our WestJet Encore membership will begin voting on the new tentative agreement.”