Canadian airline WestJet has begun canceling some flights in anticipation of a strike by aircraft maintenance technicians, saying it wants to avoid having passengers and planes stranded if there is a walkout.
WestJet said it expected to cancel about 40 flights from Tuesday through Wednesday, affecting 6,500 passengers. By Wednesday afternoon Eastern time, the airline had canceled 20 flights, or 4% of its schedule, after canceling five flights Tuesday, according to tracking service FlightAware.
The low-fare airline said it was trying to find alternate arrangements for customers whose flights were dropped.
WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association are locked in negotiations for an initial collective-bargaining agreement covering about 680 mechanics.
Earlier this week, WestJet asked the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to order both sides into binding arbitration. The union responded by notifying the airline of its intention to strike as soon as Thursday night unless the company returned to the bargaining table this week in Calgary.
Diederik Pen, the airline’s president, said the company’s most recent contract offer would have made WestJet maintenance engineers the highest paid in Canada and raise their take-home pay 30% to 40% within a year.
The union says the airline is trying to impose a contract that its members rejected by a 97.5% vote, and that low pay is preventing WestJet from filling open jobs.
WestJet was founded in the 1990s and modeled after Southwest Airlines in the U.S. It is Canada’s second-largest airline.
WestJet, one of Canada’s largest airlines, has recently been forced to cancel a number of flights as its mechanics threaten to go on strike. The potential strike comes as a result of ongoing contract negotiations between the airline and the union representing its mechanics.
The Airline, which is known for its low-cost fares and friendly service, has been facing pressure from its mechanics who are seeking better working conditions and higher wages. The union representing the mechanics, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association (AMEA), has been in negotiations with WestJet for several months but has been unable to reach a satisfactory agreement.
As a result, the mechanics have voted in favor of strike action, which could potentially disrupt WestJet’s operations and cause inconvenience for thousands of passengers. In response to the threat of a strike, WestJet has been forced to cancel a number of flights in order to minimize the impact on its customers.
The potential strike comes at a challenging time for WestJet, as the airline has been facing increased competition from other low-cost carriers and rising fuel costs. A strike by its mechanics could further strain the airline’s finances and reputation, as passengers may choose to fly with other airlines in order to avoid potential disruptions.
In a statement, WestJet has expressed its disappointment at the threat of a strike and has stated that it remains committed to reaching a fair and equitable agreement with its mechanics. The airline has also assured passengers that it is working to minimize the impact of any potential strike on its operations and is offering affected customers the option to rebook their flights or receive a refund.
As negotiations between WestJet and its mechanics continue, it remains to be seen whether a strike will actually take place. In the meantime, passengers are advised to check the status of their flights and make alternative travel arrangements if necessary.
Overall, the potential strike by WestJet’s mechanics highlights the challenges faced by airlines in today’s competitive market. As the airline industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for airlines to maintain good relations with their employees in order to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
