Ongoing mechanics strike forces WestJet to issue 235 additional flight cancellations

THE Fraternal Association of Aircraft MechanicsAMFA’s decision to strike at the start of the Canada Day long weekend resulted in an additional 235 flight cancellations at WestJet.

At a press conference on Saturday, June 29, WestJet said it would be forced to continue cancelling flights until “the union’s irrational strike is called off or immediate intervention is received.”

AMFA, which represents WestJet aircraft maintenance engineers and operations technicians, called a surprise strike Friday evening (June 28) despite intervention from the Canadian government the day before.

“The union continues to engage with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) and the airline to resolve this impasse,” AMFA wrote in a statement. “Aircraft maintenance technicians had hoped this action would be futile, but the airline’s unwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.”

“While AMEs and their union are eager to return to work, the timeline for that depends largely on WestJet management.

A “devastating” situation

Diederik Pen, WestJet Airlines president and chief operating officer called the situation “devastating.”

“The union’s irrational actions alone are causing irreparable harm to our guests who are missing out on wedding celebrations, critical medical appointments, family reunions and long-awaited vacations, while stranding thousands of Canadians without support or flights home,” Pen said Saturday.

“We are pursuing all intervention possibilities and working around the clock to maintain a stable network, while reducing our thefts in a safe and controlled manner. »

Summary of total cancellation

Until Saturday, June 29, WestJet will continue to park its planes at train stations across Canada, with significant disruptions expected by the end of the day. The airline, meanwhile, has activated flexible change and cancellation policies for travel through Saturday.

WestJet also published this summary of total cancellation:

Thursday, June 27 – Friday, June 28, 2024

25 cancellations

3,300 guests impacted

Friday June 28

150 cancellations

20,000 guests involved

Saturday June 29

235 cancellations

33,000 guests affected

The Minister of Labor examines the situation

WestJet Group CEO Alexis de Hoensbroech took to his X platform early Saturday to discuss the situation.

“It is disheartening to have to cancel hundreds of flights in response to an unreasonable AMFA strike despite the arbitration order. Negotiations are over and a strike serves no one! This is irresponsible and I am sincerely sorry for our customers who are suffering the consequences,” von Hoensbroech wrote.

Minister of Labor Seamus O’Regan also weighed in on X, writing Saturday that he was reviewing the Canadian Industrial Relations Board’s decision, “which is clearly inconsistent with my instructions to the Board.”

“I will consider additional measures to protect the interests of the employer, the union and all Canadians travelling this holiday weekend,” O’Regan wrote.

von Hoensbroech reposted the statement on his account, welcoming the remarks. “An urgent resolution is needed to avoid further disruption to Canadians’ travel plans,” the WestJet CEO wrote.

“This union is very different”

WestJet said it presented AMFA with an “industry-leading agreement that is more tailored than the previously rejected tentative agreement.” The offer is a 22 per cent wage increase over four years.

At a news conference earlier this week, von Hoensbroech said WestJet has an “excellent track record” of reaching reasonable agreements with its union partners.

“But this union is very different,” he said, noting that AMFA is a U.S.-based organization.

He said AMFA had lost the majority of its members in the United States “because of their unreasonable behavior.”

“They are trying to get into Canada and gain access to Canadian airlines. They are now taking Canadians hostage to make their marketing platform (and) become a union in Canada. I’m not sure we want that,” von Hoensbroech said.

He said the average aircraft maintenance engineer at WestJet will earn $109,000 in 2023. “That’s a significant amount of money,” he said, adding that the highest-paid engineers earn between $150,000 and $170,000.

“They are already among the highest paid in Canada. »

For more context on the evolving situation, travellers and travel advisors can consult this information page on westjet.com.

This is a developing story.

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