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CALGARY, April 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Today, WestJet announcedit has reached an agreementwith the Airline Pilot Association (ALPA), tosave more than 1,000pilot jobsatWestJet, WestJet Encore and Swoopamidst the COVID-19 crisis.The airline had previously confirmed that1,700 pilots across WestJet, WestJet Encore and Swoop had received layoff notifications, effective either May 1 or June 1, 2020. "I'm pleased thatALPA and WestJet, throughrobust negotiations and collaborationhave come together tominimize the impact of theunprecedentedCOVID-19 pandemicon our pilot groups," said Jeff Martin, WestJet Executive Vice-President,and Chief Operating Officer."We thank ALPAforthe joint effort in working with us to assist our airline in remainingflexibleandcompetitive. Our pilots will be a critical element of our recovery andretaining theseimportant rolesleavesus better positioned to recover strongly andreturnWestJet to a global airline." SaidALPAMECChair, representing WestJet and Swoop, Captain DaveColquhoun, "The agreement we have reached is due to the dedication of the WestJet executive and the WestJet pilots, in a time where everyone is making sacrifices to protect our airline. ALPA's elected leadership appreciates the time and effort that was involved in working together to minimize the impact to our members and we look forward to the time when all of our pilots, and many of the other WestJetters who are casualties of this crisis, are back to work at WestJet." Said ALPA MEC Chair, representing WestJet Encore, Captain Ryan Leier, "On behalf of WestJet Encore pilots,I am pleased we were able to successfully reach an agreement.We recognize that these are uncharted skies as we deal with the effects of COVID-19and this agreementwill help ourpilots and the airline get through this together." The agreement allows the WestJet Group of Companies to retainpilotsacross the three groups, through theamendmentof termstothe currentagreements. WestJet continues to work collaboratively with its employee andlabourgroups as well as all levels of government to minimize the impactof the COVID-19 crisisto the airline and its employees. WestJet is utilizing the Government of Canada's Canada Emergency WageSubsidy(CEWS)to assist in navigating this pandemicwhile work is not availabledue to the downturn in demand for air travel.Where it is of benefit tothe employee,WestJet willuse CEWSto keep the inactive employee on thepayroll to ensure they remain connected to the company. ALPA will communicate specific details to WestJet, WestJet Encore and SwoopPilots and WestJet will not be providing further information. Connect with WestJet on Facebook atfacebook.com/westjetFollow WestJet on Twitter attwitter.com/westjetFollow WestJet on Instagraminstagram.com/westjet/Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube atyoutube.com/westjetRead the WestJet blog atblog.westjet.com SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership Related Links http://www.westjet.com

Answer: WestJet saves 1,000 pilot jobs through ALPA agreements