WestJet has reversed its decision to recruit temporary foreign pilots for its regional subsidiary, WestJet Encore, citing economic uncertainty. The airline had previously been granted approval by the federal government to hire about 60 pilots from India and South Africa under the temporary foreign worker program, which was met with opposition from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
The union challenged the approval, arguing that it undermined collective agreements related to wages and work conditions, as temporary foreign workers would not have the same bargaining power as Canadian pilots. The union also criticized the lack of consultation with regulatory bodies before the decision was made. The program, designed to address short-term labor shortages, has been a point of contention, particularly in the airline industry, where there is concern that hiring temporary workers could diminish the incentive to improve retention and working conditions for Canadian pilots.
WestJet had initially proposed this move as part of a broader strategy to address an ongoing shortage of captains within the company. The airline explained that employing temporary foreign workers could help meet operational needs, but it has since decided to halt the search for foreign pilots amid growing opposition and economic challenges.
The temporary foreign worker program, which has seen increased demand in various sectors, allows employers to hire non-permanent residents when there are no qualified Canadians available for the job. However, the union argued that there were qualified Canadian pilots available, especially as demand for air travel to the U.S. has declined due to political tensions.
Source: Swifteradio.com
