Ongoing mechanics strike forces WestJet to cancel 235 more flights

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.”

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

LEARN MORE: WestJet ‘outraged’ by mechanics’ strike, ‘serious’ disruptions expected

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

“While aircraft maintenance technicians and their union are eager to return to work, the timeline for getting there is largely in the hands of 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 miss wedding celebrations, critical medical appointments, family reunions and long-awaited vacations, while stranding thousands of Canadians who find themselves without support or return flights,” Pen said Saturday.

“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.”

Total Cancellation Summary

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

WestJet also posted 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 impacted

Saturday June 29

235 cancellations

33,000 guests affected

The Minister of Labor examines the situation

WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech took to his X platform early Saturday to remedy the situation.

“It is disheartening to have to cancel hundreds of flights in response to an unreasonable AMFA strike despite the arbitration order. The 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 who travel during this holiday weekend,” Mr. O’Regan wrote.

von Hoensbroech reposted the statement on his account, welcoming the remarks. “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 consists of 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 lost the majority of its members in the United States “because of his unreasonable behavior.”

“They are trying to penetrate the Canadian market and gain access to Canadian airlines. They are now holding Canadians hostage to create 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 earns $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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