WestJet mechanics go on strike, disrupting travel ahead of long weekend

WestJet aircraft mechanics are hitting the picket lines in a surprise move that threatens to disrupt flights for thousands of travellers as the Canada Day long weekend begins.

WestJet says Canadians can expect “severe disruption to their travels” if the brutal strike is not called off – a day after the airline and Ottawa thought they had avoided a work stoppage thanks to a ministerial order binding arbitration on Thursday.

The country’s second-largest airline says it is once again calling for immediate intervention from the federal labour minister and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association says its 680 WestJet workers went on strike at 7:30 p.m. ET, arguing that the carrier’s “refusal to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.”

However, WestJet says that since the country’s labour court has initiated arbitration to resolve the impasse, a strike gives the union no leverage and amounts to “pure retaliation.”

Earlier this month, mechanics voted to reject a tentative agreement with the Calgary-based airline and issued two strike notices while WestJet sought government intervention.