WestJet Airlines Halts Plans to Use Temporary Foreign Worker Program
OTTAWA, ONT.—The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, who have worked alongside the pilot leadership of WestJet and WestJet Encore to halt WestJet management’s efforts to hire pilots through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), are pleased to announce that WestJet management will no longer pursue the hiring of any pilots through the TFW Program.
“Despite this development, we strongly encourage WestJet management to work with ALPA pilot representatives to find more practical solutions for attracting and retaining skilled professional pilots that do not involve utilizing a federal program, which was never intended for this purpose,” said Captain Tim Perry, ALPA Canada President. “As the voice of over 95% of Canada’s professional, unionized pilots, we know this issue goes beyond WestJet Encore—it impacts us all!”
While ALPA Canada’s interactions with WestJet management led to changing their direction on pilot recruitment, ALPA Canada’s work and unity must continue.
“Upon the conclusion of the federal election on April 28 and the appointment of the new federal Cabinet, we will seek a commitment from the government to review the TFWP,” continued Captain Perry. “We must achieve the goal of reforming the Labour Market Impact Assessment process so that its use is limited to its original intent, as well as recognize and place importance on consulting with any unions that represent impacted employees.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 79,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org
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