UPDATE: 235 more flights cancelled following WestJet strike

*Last updated Saturday, June 29 at 2 p.m.

WestJet has announced 235 additional flight cancellations in what it called in a news release issued at 2 p.m. ET Saturday “the irrational strike by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).”

“This situation is devastating,” read a statement from Diederik Pen, WestJet Airlines president and group chief operating officer. “The union’s irrational actions alone are causing irrevocable harm to our guests who miss wedding celebrations, critical medical appointments, family reunions and long-awaited vacations, while stranding thousands of Canadians who find themselves without support or return flight. pursuing all avenues of intervention and working around the clock to maintain a stable network, while reducing our thefts in a safe and controlled manner.

The total cancellation summary is now as follows:

Thursday June 27 – Friday June 28, 2024

– 25 cancellations

– 3300 guests impacted

Friday June 28

– 150 cancellations

– 20,000 guests affected

Saturday June 29

– 235 cancellations

– 33,000 guests impacted

Original story continues below

Just as it appeared a strike had been averted, nearly 700 members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), representing WestJet mechanics, walked off the job Friday night.

As an immediate result, the airline has canceled 150 flights scheduled to depart today (Saturday June 29), impacting around 20,000 travelers and re-accommodation options are limited. The airline said further cancellations would be announced later in the morning if the strike is not called off or no action takes place immediately.

The union’s shocking move came hours after it appeared the strike had been averted, when the Minister of Labor ordered the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to help WestJet and AMFA reach a first contract collective.

“Thanks to the government’s actions, Canadians’ summer travel plans have been protected and we have a path to a solution,” said WestJet Airlines president Diederik Pen. Hours later, an “outraged” Pen struck a very different tone.

“A strike serves no one, because this negotiation has already been subject to binding arbitration,” Pen said in a press release. “We know how painful this is for our customers and staff; however, we must begin secure parking of our aircraft immediately. »

He added: “The scale of this deliberate disruption is devastating and AMFA must be held accountable for its irresponsible actions. Without immediate action, a significant disruption will cause unnecessary harm to tens of thousands of Canadians and the entire economic ecosystem that depends on our essential air service.”

Nearly 10,000 WestJet passengers had their flights cancelled during two weeks of tense negotiations that saw AMFA issue 72-hour strike notices twice.

With more than 250,000 passengers scheduled to travel over the long weekend, WestJet is calling for immediate intervention from the Minister of Labor and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).

For its part, AMFA says the binding arbitration order does not specifically prohibit job action, although in a statement released yesterday, the union said it would “comply with the instructions” provided by the labor minister. Pen called the strike “pure retaliation against a disappointed union.”

“The government officially stepped in to provide binding arbitration and ensure we reached a resolution; the only reason this union is pursuing a strike is to create damage, disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Canadians over the July long weekend and inflict significant costs on our business,” Pen said.

Starting today, WestJet says it will begin parking its planes at stations across Canada with plans to operate a significantly reduced schedule by the end of the day.

Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport. More information can be found on the WestJet Guest Updates page.

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