Canada’s second largest airline, WestJet, says it has cancelled at least 150 flights affecting 20,000 passengers beginning Saturday after the union of maintenance workers announced it has gone on strike
TORONTO — Canada’s second largest airline, WestJet, says it has cancelled at least 150 flights affecting 20,000 passengers beginning Saturday after the union of maintenance workers announced it has gone 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 strike 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.
On Thursday, WestJet said the union “confirmed they will abide by the direction. Given this, a strike or lockout will not occur, and the airline will no longer proceed in cancelling flights.”
The surprise strike affecting international and domestic flights is happening during the Canada Day long weekend.
Calgary, Alberta-based WestJet said it was “extremely outraged” and will hold the union 100% accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs.
In an update to its membership, the union negotiating committee referenced an order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board that does not explicitly bar any strikes or lockouts as the tribunal undertakes arbitration.
WestJet, one of Canada’s largest airlines, has been forced to cancel over 150 flights due to a strike by its mechanics union. The strike, which began on May 19th, has caused significant disruptions for passengers traveling with the airline.
The mechanics union, known as the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association (AMEA), is demanding better working conditions and higher wages for its members. The union claims that WestJet has been cutting corners when it comes to maintenance and safety procedures, putting both passengers and employees at risk.
In response to the strike, WestJet has been forced to cancel flights across its network, including domestic and international routes. Passengers have been left stranded at airports or forced to rebook their flights with other airlines, causing frustration and inconvenience for many travelers.
The airline has apologized for the disruptions and has offered affected passengers refunds or the option to rebook their flights at no extra cost. However, many passengers have expressed their frustration with the situation, criticizing WestJet for not resolving the labor dispute sooner.
The strike comes at a challenging time for WestJet, as the airline has been facing increased competition from other carriers and rising fuel costs. The cancellations have also had a negative impact on the airline’s reputation, with many customers expressing their dissatisfaction on social media.
In response to the strike, WestJet has stated that it is working to minimize the impact on passengers and is actively negotiating with the union to reach a resolution. The airline is hopeful that a deal can be reached soon so that normal operations can resume.
In the meantime, passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport and to contact WestJet for rebooking options if their flights have been canceled. The situation is still ongoing, and travelers are encouraged to stay informed about any updates regarding the strike and its impact on WestJet’s operations.
