WestJet cancelled 40 flights yesterday and today, impacting 6,500 passengers, after WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Tech Ops employees served a 72-hour strike notice.
The 670 workers represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) will be in a legal strike position Thursday night.
“As the WestJet Group prepares for labour action, the airline has started cancelling and consolidating flights, in order to park aircraft in a safe and organized manner. This action enables proactive communication with guests and crew to minimize the potential for being stranded and ensures the airline can avoid abandoning aircraft in remote locations,” the WestJet Group said in a press release.
The decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group awaits a response from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to intervene under the Canada Labour Code. If accepted, this action would refer WestJet and AMFA to arbitration for a first collective agreement and prevent labour action by either party.
Diederik Pen has been named president of WestJet Airlines. (Photo Credit: WestJet)
"We are immensely disheartened that we are in a position where we must activate our contingency plan and begin parking aircraft, as a result of the strike notice served by AMFA. We deeply regret the disruption this will have on the travel plans of our guests, communities and businesses that rely on our critical air service," said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group COO.
"Following the memberships' nearly unanimous decision to reject a generous tentative agreement that would have made our Aircraft Maintenance Engineers the highest paid in the country, with a take-home pay increase of 30 to 40 per cent in the first year of the proposed agreement, it is clear that the bargaining process has broken down."
On Monday, WestJet asked the federal labour minister to refer negotiations to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which would then arbitrate the terms of a collective agreement, while barring a work stoppage. The union opposes the move, saying it would undermine their goal of an "industry-changing contract."
WestJet says it is making every effort to re-accommodate all impacted guests. "We will continue to manage our operations to the highest degree of safety and will never compromise in this area," said Pen.
Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. WestJet's Guest Updates page will be kept up to date with information regarding flight status, travel changes and more.
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