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The unionization drive by pilots at WestJet Airlines Ltd. has fizzled out for now after the majority of pilots rejected certification in a close vote.

The WestJet Professional Pilots Association (WPPA) said Wednesday that of the 1,247 pilots who voted, 55 per cent said no to unionization, allowing the company to preserve its status as the only major Canadian airline without a union.

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“The majority of WestJet pilots have decided that they do not wish to pursue certification at this time,” the association, which was created by a group of pro-union pilots, said in a posting on its Facebook page.

“While naturally disappointed with this result, we hope the open discussions that have taken place as part of this process will set the stage for constructive dialogue between our pilots and WestJet leadership going forward.”

WestJet said it was “pleased” with the result and emphasized that it will continue to work with the existing WestJet Pilots’ Association, the non-union group that currently represents the airline’s pilots.

“Our model of cooperation and employee representation through the WestJet Pilots’ Association has allowed for the continued success of our pilots and our airline,” CEO Gregg Saretsky said in a statement.