WestJet’s 1,400+ pilots have voted to be represented as a union by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), said an announcement from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).

97 per cent of eligible pilots at WestJet participated in the election, with 62 per cent voting in favour of joining the world's largest pilot union, bringing WestJet one step closer to being a ‘unionless’ airline no more.

"WestJet pilots told us that it's time for a certified union, and the Organizing Committee worked hard to build unity within their group," said ALPA president, Capt. Tim Canoll. "With ALPA representation, pilot unity plays an integral role in supporting the process of negotiating a legally binding collective agreement."

WestJet management, meanwhile, are none too pleased with this announcement.

"We are disappointed with the outcome of the vote but we are dedicated to moving forward as a team.” said WestJet president and CEO, Gregg Saretsky, in a statement from the airline. “We will now focus on engaging in constructive dialogue with ALPA and concentrate on the continued success of the organization for guests, employees and shareholders."

The next step is for the CIRB to approve the election results, and once they issue the certification order, normally occurs within one to two weeks, ALPA will become the exclusive bargaining agent for the WestJet pilots.

WestJet pilots first approached ALPA about representation last year and in December 2016 commenced the membership card collection process in Calgary. On April 20, WestJet pilots submitted a strong number of membership cards to the CIRB, triggering the representation election.

Earlier this month, the WestJet pilots’ union drive even received support from their counterparts at WestJet’s chief rival, Air Canada.

“…we support our sisters and brothers at WestJet in their struggle to organize” said a statement from the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA). “We know ALPA would provide invaluable assistance in many areas including the effective negotiation of fair and equitable contracts for WestJet pilots.”

WestJet pilots must now focus on the ALPA membership drive and establishing pilot representatives in each of WestJet’s bases (Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver), which will lay the foundation needed to build the WestJet Master Executive Council and start negotiating their first collective agreement.

"We look forward to putting ALPA's vast resources to work to help the WestJet pilots reach their first contract," said Capt. Dan Adamus, president of ALPA Canada. "…we welcome WestJet pilots and look forward to building a solid working relationship with the WestJet management team."

Another union drive at WestJet has also been underway with WestJet’s flight attendants forming the WestJet Professional Flight Attendant Association (WPFAA), however, the target numbers required to trigger a membership certification vote were not reached and deadlines imposed by WPFAA have passed with no further updates provided.

Follow @TravelPulseCA