Worried passengers cancelling WestJet bookings despite optimism for a resolution. Air Passenger Protection Regulations would apply in a strike or lockout situation, minister says.
With time ticking ahead of an early Friday strike deadline, federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra had a simple plea for WestJet and its pilots’ union: You have to work this out.
The country’s second-biggest airline — including its lower-cost Swoop subsidiary — and its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association — are in talks at a Toronto-area hotel. Pay, scheduling and job security are the key areas of dispute.While the two sides have been publicly trading shots, Alghabra said he’s “cautiously optimistic” the dispute can be resolved without a work stoppage.
Federal labour minister Seamus O’Regan, who arrived in Toronto Tuesday night to assist in talks, said on Twitter he’s optimistic the two sides can reach an agreement. “Something like this happens and everything goes for a toss,” Malik said. “Not only do have to replan last minute, but whatever cost benefit they derived out of booking well in advance — they lose that now.”The situation is even affecting some of Malik’s customers who aren’t flying on WestJet themselves, but are travelling with people who are, and have chosen to cancel their plans.
If flights are cancelled because of a strike or lockout, Air Passenger Protection Regulations say an airline has to either rebook a passenger within 48 hours or refund their fare, with no additional compensation, said Alghabra. But with changes to the regulations underway, Alghabra left the door open to further changes in future labour disputes.
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