WestJet pilots ask Ottawa to step in as contract talks with airline stall

Pilots at Canada’s WestJet have sought Canadian government intervention into their collective bargaining negotiations with the airline. The request for conciliation assistance with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service allows the pilots ask for official help. “The parties remain far apart on multiple key issues”, the pilots said. “After months of negotiations in good faith and making a sincere effort, we have only tentatively agreed to 10 of 39 sections “said Bernard Lewall, chair of the WestJet pilots’ union “We are optimistic a federal conciliation officer will be able to assist in moving the bargaining process towards a satisfactory agreement.”