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List of WestJet flight cancellations grows as airline warns more could occur

Posted on by angelo

(Updated: June 29, 2024 at noon): More WestJet flights could be on the chopping block, the airline warned in an afternoon update after announcing that 235 flights had already been cancelled.

The airline added that 150 more flights could be cancelled on Saturday, affecting 33,000 travellers.

“This situation is devastating. The union’s irrational actions alone are causing irreparable harm to our customers who are missing out on wedding celebrations, critical medical appointments, family reunions and long-awaited vacations, while leaving thousands of Canadians stranded without support or a flight home,” said Diederik Pen, WestJet Airlines President and Group Chief Operating Officer.

“We are looking at all possibilities for intervention and are working around the clock to maintain a stable network, while reducing our flights in a safe and controlled manner.”

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) also posted an update on its website earlier today, stating: “WestJet has issued a lockout notice, which it has not rescinded. Similarly, we are exercising our constitutional right to suspend our work.”

The union then added that it had “offered to meet, at any time and place, to resume negotiations. WestJet has not responded. That is the truth.”

(Original story: June 29, 2024 at 8:20 a.m.)Thousands of people’s long weekend travel plans were disrupted after the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) decided to go on strike Friday night, leading to the cancellation of 150 WestJet flights Saturday morning.

The cancelled flights are expected to affect around 20,000 travellers and, according to the airline, further cancellations are planned.

“A strike serves no purpose, because this negotiation has already been subject to binding arbitration. We know how distressing this situation is for our customers and employees; however, we must begin safe parking of our aircraft immediately,” said Diederik Pen, WestJet Airlines President and Group Chief Operating Officer.

“The scale of this deliberate disruption is devastating and AMFA must be held accountable for its reckless actions. Without immediate intervention, a significant disruption will needlessly harm tens of thousands of Canadians as well as the entire economic ecosystem that depends on our essential air service.

The airline said it was seeking immediate intervention from the Minister of Labor and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) as more than 250,000 WestJet travelers were expected to fly over the long weekend.

In a statement released by AMFA on Friday, the union said the two sides are separated by a difference of about 7%, or $8 million per year.

“WestJet provoked this collective action through a long history of bad faith bargaining, only part of which is reflected in AMFA’s charges pending before the CIRB,” reads a letter from the union to the airline.

“This failure to negotiate continues to this day with WestJet’s abrupt halt to negotiations in Toronto and the cancellation of our scheduled meetings in Calgary.

Travelers are advised to check the status of their flights online.