Canada airline WestJet cancels more than 400 flights after a surprise strike by mechanics union

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Last edited Mon Jul 1, 2024, 06:19 AM - Edit history (2)

On edit:
Strike seems to be over. See https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-strike-over-canada-day-weekend-cancellations-1.7251357

to Bernardo de La Paz

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https://apnews.com/article/westjet-mechanics-strike-canada-flights-cancelled-a4801eb2f8eb2d09a449e91b58eb3ad8

Canada airline WestJet cancels more than 400 flights after a surprise strike by mechanics union

Updated 10:58 AM EDT, June 30, 2024

TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s second largest airline, WestJet, said it canceled 407 flights affecting 49,000 passengers after the maintenance workers union announced it went on strike.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said its members started to strike Friday evening because the airline’s “unwillingness to negotiate with the union” made it inevitable.

The surprise strike affecting international and domestic flights came after the federal government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration on Thursday. That followed two weeks of turbulent discussions with the union on a new deal.

WestJet said it will continue to park aircraft through Sunday for the long weekend culminating in Canada Day on Monday. The airline has about 200 aircraft and says they’ll operate approximately 30 by Sunday evening.

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[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Latest: seems to be settled. . . . nt

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2. Thank you. Statement from Westjet:

https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2024/westjet-confirms-end-to-amfa-strike

WestJet confirms end to AMFA strike

Further damage to guests, employees, and communities prevented as the airline works to rebuild

WestJet confirms that as of June 30, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. MT, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) are withdrawing their strike action. AMFA members will return to work as scheduled to immediately start work to restore the network. The airline and AMFA resumed talks earlier today, for the first time since Thursday, June 27, despite a stalemate on the intent of the Minister’s order for binding arbitration. They did so to reach a tentative agreement and prevent further damage to the Canadian public.

“The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift resolution was necessary; we take no victory laps on this outcome but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been prevented,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. “We will see no further labour action coming out of this dispute, as both parties agree to arbitrate the contract in the case of a failed ratification.”

Lack of clarity from the government and the decisions taken by the CIRB allowed for a strike to occur amidst binding arbitration. With no path forward to resolution, both parties made essential movements to find common ground and achieve an agreement.

The company was forced to park 130 aircraft at 13 airports across Canada, in response to the strike. With today’s news, the airline will begin work to restore operations in a safe and timely manner. Given the significant impact to WestJet’s network over the past few days, returning to business-as-usual flying will take time and further disruptions over the coming week are to be anticipated as the airline gets aircraft and crew back into position.

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