Sunwing pilots say airline bargained in bad faith, file complaint

Article content material

Sunwing pilots filed a criticism with the Canada Industrial Relations Board, arguing Monday the airline bargained in dangerous religion because it already knew it could be acquired by WestJet.

Article content material

The 452 pilots, represented by Unifor, say the union reached a tentative settlement with administration on Jan. 23, 2021, lower than two weeks earlier than media reported Sunwing had obtained a suggestion from an unnamed firm and that Sunwing and WestJet had mentioned buy prospects prior to now.

Unifor members ratified the four-year deal three weeks later. WestJet introduced final March its deal to purchase Sunwing Airways and Sunwing Holidays for an undisclosed sum.

Article content material

Unifor spokesman Scott Doherty says the WestJet deal occurred “regardless of administration reassurances the corporate was not a candidate for a sale or merger,” calling it a “enormous slap within the face.”

Barret Armann, who heads the union native representing the pilots, says they made concessions with the understanding the pandemic had imposed monetary pressures on the airline, and that if the sale negotiations had been “clear” Unifor might have pushed for job safety language in case of an acquisition.

Sunwing didn’t reply instantly to a request for remark.

The federal authorities will conduct a public curiosity evaluation of WestJet’s deal to purchase Sunwing Airways and Sunwing Holidays.

Transport Canada has been given till Dec. 5 to finish the evaluate and supply it to the transport minister, who would then present a advice to cupboard regarding the deal, which requires regulatory approval.