Want to help WestJet pilots?

[CanadaAir]

There’s misinformation in the media today, result of John Aaron’s memo containing private negotiation information leaking to the media. Possibly on purpose by the company

The media articles are reporting to the public information as:

"According to industry sources, the average WestJet pilot earns $225,000 per year while working 16 days a month.
"WestJet pilots to strike because $300K a year ain't enough
"Did WestJet pilots reject $300K+ salaries?

"Meanwhile, the average Canadian, earning just under $70,000 annually while working far more than 960 hours a year, is the one left stuck at the airport hoping they can find their luggage.

Some of the public’s falling for these lies

So what can you do?

Tomorrow morning, newspapers will be printing WestJet propaganda.
You can help by writing a letter to the editor and editorial board stating your opinions, & better informing the public.

Tonight & tomorrow, you can register accounts on CBC News & your local Sun online news and respond in the comments sections of their articles in these links

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ ... -1.6847023

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnis ... int-enough

Take time to respond to public comments spreading lies on social media categorizing pilots as greedy with $300,000 salaries who barely work.

https://www.facebook.com/WestJetPilots/
https://twitter.com/WestJet
https://twitter.com/westjetalpa


Be professional, don’t slander the public when they respond to you nasty

Explain that it can take 10 years to reach WestJet, 13 years to be a captain, 12 more years to reach the top salary
35 years in aviation, plus $100,000 to get a license & $50,000 for a college or university degree

Starting salaries at $29,000 or less to even get to WestJet, working ramp or northern flying
The salary cut to go to WestJet
Inform them

,l..png (18.07 KiB) Viewed 2312 times

[Blueontop]

Please feel free to repost this all over social media, let’s get ahead of the misinformation. I have been reading comments on the news articles and overwhelming support from he public’s side generally. Let’s keep the momentum going and enlighten more people.

It is infuriating to see such misleading information presented to the public, and feel the need to rebuke this author #BrianLilley #TorontoSun

First and foremost, let’s take a moment to shed light on the comprehensive timeline and financial investments required to attain a position at WestJet. In reality, it can take up to 10 years to join the company and an additional 13 years to reach the captaincy. Furthermore, it may take an additional 12 years to reach the top salary tier, totaling 35 years in the aviation industry. These significant timeframes highlight the dedication and commitment pilots invest in their careers

Contrary to the claim made in the article, aspiring pilots face substantial financial hurdles as well. Obtaining a pilot's license alone can cost around $100,000, and an additional investment of approximately $50,000 is often required for a college or university degree, which is highly valued by the industry. What comes next after all that financial investment and time is starting salaries as low as $29,000 and aspiring pilots to work in ramp or northern flying positions to gain experience. The ultimate goal to eventually secure a place at the company such as #Westjet. All this just to suffer another salary cut when they have finally “made it” This additional salary cut, combined with the financial burdens of training and education, further emphasizes the sacrifices made by pilots to pursue their chosen career path.

It is crucial to clarify that the compensation figures stated in the article, ranging from $300,000 to $350,000 per year, are applicable only to a small fraction of pilots who have reached the highest positions after a decade or more of service. In reality, first officers start at approximately $65,000 per year, which is a far cry from the figures quoted. Furthermore, the journey to becoming a captain at WestJet can take upwards of ten years, adding additional challenges to pilots' career progression and financial growth.

Additionally, the assertion that pilots only work 960 hours per year is misleading. While this figure may represent flight hours, it fails to account for the countless hours spent on non-flying duties, both before and after flights. Pilots often work without compensation during these ground duties, effectively dedicating unpaid time to their profession. The scheduling practices, which frequently push pilots to the maximum allowed limits, contribute to fatigue and inadequate rest periods between flight assignments, posing risks to both pilots and passengers.

Contrary to the author's claim, it is important to recognize that pilot wages have been unjustly depressed for an extended period, far beyond the current inflation concerns. The low-cost business models adopted by airlines, built on the foundation of discounted pilot wages, have created a significant disparity between the value pilots provide and their compensation. These poor wages and working conditions have tarnished a once fulfilling and lucrative career, contributing to the current pilot shortage. Fewer individuals are now willing to pursue this profession due to its unattractive nature.

The author's attempt to portray pilots as greedy individuals seeking to disrupt the public's travel plans with unreasonable demands is misguided. The truth is that this struggle for fair compensation and improved working conditions has been long overdue. It is high time for airline executives to acknowledge their role in creating these issues and to rectify the longstanding injustices endured by pilots. Market forces and the undeniable pilot supply issues have necessitated a reevaluation of the industry's practices, and it is imperative that executives recognize the true worth of pilots and compensate them accordingly.

#westjetpilots #ALPAPilots #canadianprofessionalpilots #notjustacanadianpilot

[CanadaAir]

Please feel free to repost this all over social media, let’s get ahead of the misinformation. I have been reading comments on the news articles and overwhelming support from he public’s side generally. Let’s keep the momentum going and enlighten more people.

It is infuriating to see such misleading information presented to the public, and feel the need to rebuke this author #BrianLilley #TorontoSun

#westjetpilots #ALPAPilots #canadianprofessionalpilots #notjustacanadianpilot

Nice job writing that.

All pilots reading this should use it, copy parts of it & post on your social media accounts.
Use this letter to send to your local newspaper or news editorial boards,
use parts of it to defend WestJet pilots from being attacked as greedy online

Or write your own letter and send it out
Send to your local news reporters to inform them before they write stories on the local news

Thanks Blueontop

[CanadaAir]

Some positive news & videos to watch

“Unity knows no borders”

15,700 Delta pilots standing with WestJet Pilots
Video
https://twitter.com/Delta_Pilots/status ... 5146031107

16,000 United pilots standing with WestJet Pilots
Video
https://twitter.com/UnitedPilots/status ... 3678773249

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 18,500 flight attendants at ten different airlines across Canada:

..l..png (106.64 KiB) Viewed 2028 times

,,l.png (23.27 KiB) Viewed 2018 times

,l,,.png (13.84 KiB) Viewed 2008 times

[CanadaAir]

Unifor’s Statement of Support for ALPA WestJet Pilots

450 Sunwing pilots, 1,200 customer service agents, 16,000 Unifor members working in the air transportation stand with WestJet Pilots

https://www.unifor.org/news/all-news/un ... jet-pilots

.l.,.png (134.92 KiB) Viewed 1707 times

.i,.png (16.76 KiB) Viewed 1707 times

,i.png (9.55 KiB) Viewed 1707 times

[CanadaAir]

Delta, Alaska, Spirit pilots in Canada & ready to go staffing the strike centers

WestJet MEC PIREP Podcast
Episode 17 - Update from Captain Tholl

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1795435/12872225


Thanks to pilots posting in the comment sections of online news articles defense statements to the lies spread.
Keep the support and informing the public.

[CanadaAir]

CEO interviews with CTV
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2689169

CEO states WestJet pilots are paid more than Prime Minister

False statement

How many multiples of Prime Minister's salary is CEO paid?

CEO states WestJet pilots can't expect US wages.

CEO's wage is US based.

Media should ask some better questions in these interviews. Such as things about how the air Canada ceo just got over 200 percent increase in compensation

rando's close

"Air Canada boss's pay tripled in 2022 to $12.4 million

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/air-canada- ... -1.6350491


CEO salaries are linked with keeping costs & wages low
Higher pilot wages link to a lower CEO salary
Why would a CEO agree to lowering their salary?



2017 GS of WestJet Airlines Ltd.: $4.9 million

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ ... -1.3919713

[CanadaAir]

Take time to talk with other WestJet staff, flight attendants CSA & ground crews
Answer their questions & politely refute the company lies in the media

Best we can do is not share these trashy articles, and when you see them shared on social media, politely refute the points. Argue the obvious ones like hours of "work" not even coming close to the hours of actual work we do (everyone's on the flight attendants side when it comes to being paid for work on the ground, point out that pilots have the same pay structure!), make sure they know that first officer at Westjet isn't an "entry level" position by any means.

The media, politics, culture wars and public perception are a distraction. They will not determine your WAWCON.

Stay focused. Apply pressure where it counts.

Time to start thinking like activists.

[CanadaAir]

Labour expert says WestJet pilots have a 'strong case' as strike looms over long weekend plans

"Profession has high demand with little reward, says Geraint Harvey

"I think [the pilots] have got a fairly strong case in the sense that the terms and conditions of employment for pilots in Canada isn't especially great," said Harvey. "I mean it's a myth that pilots in Canada are earning exorbitant amounts. They simply aren't."

"Pilots in the high reliability industry can't make mistakes. They can lose their license at any point if they are deemed physically or mentally unfit. The demanding commitment for a starting salary of $60,000 to $80,000 is part of what's led to a labour supply shortage.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/l ... -1.6846431

https://news.westernu.ca/2023/05/expert ... -industry/

[Invertago]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiQVSYw ... iveCouncil

[altiplano]

Who is getting the $65K every level starting pilot salaries this guy is talking about in the article?

Is he including the second job that's required to make rent?

I didn't break $65K until my 3rd year at AC. Maybe 13 or 14 years into my career.

[‘Bob’]

Doesn’t Flair pay $80k to start now?

Cargojet does as well.

They won’t get the big bucks AC will offer.. which is why suckers sign up for flat pay and even leave their WJ jobs for it.

Some King Air operators are paying $65k for FO. Maybe not to start.. but after a year or two of time building as a first turbine job.

[Cough Syrup]

What?

[a2btrail]

Strike avoided. Thread end.