WestJet flight cancellations climb to 832 as strike continues

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WestJet cancelled a total of 832 flights Sunday as the airline’s mechanics continued their strike for the third consecutive day.

The Calgary-based airline has now parked all but 32 of its 176 planes, decimating its ability to serve flights during a busy long weekend that traditionally marks the start of the peak summer travel season.

The cancellations come amid a dispute between WestJet and its mechanics union that shows no signs of resolution.

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In an update Sunday afternoon, WestJet President Diederik Pen said the airline is awaiting clarification from the federal government that a strike and arbitration cannot occur at the same time. Some 680 workers, whose inspections and repairs are essential to the airline’s operations, walked off the job Friday despite a binding arbitration directive from the federal labor minister.

Calgary International Airport’s departure schedule was covered in red on Sunday, with more than 110 flights out of Calgary cancelled as of noon.

Both sides have accused each other of refusing to negotiate in good faith, leveling accusations in press releases and social media posts. While the airline announced further cancellations, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) placed responsibility for the cancellations solely on WestJet, saying it considered that “WestJet is solely responsible for this damage. »

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In a LinkedIn post Saturday, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech wrote that he had “never encountered such an unreasonable counterparty.” The airline executive said in his post that AMFA’s only intent was to maximize the damages caused to WestJet over the long weekend.This particular union had no qualms about having its members vote on a tentative agreement just to get us into the peak summer, in order to disrupt as many guests as possible,” von Hoensbroech wrote.

The action comes after union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative WestJet deal in mid-June and after two weeks of tense negotiations between the two sides.

As time approached Friday’s strike deadline, the impasse prompted Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan to intervene, demanding that WestJet and the union undertake binding arbitration led by the country’s labor court – a process which generally avoids a work stoppage.

Calgarian from Las Vegas opts for 17-hour commute home

Will Heseltine is one of tens of thousands of passengers managing their travel plans due to the strike.

Heseltine was in Las Vegas this weekend for the NHL draft. He received an email Saturday night informing him that his Sunday flight had been cancelled and he then booked a flight back to Calgary on Thursday. After trying to book an affordable flight to Calgary and having to return for the work week that started Tuesday, he and his friend rented a car, opting to make the 18-hour drive through Utah, Idaho and Montana.

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“We were more worried about Craig Conroy than we were about WestJet management,” Heseltine said by phone from Cedar City, Utah, where he stopped on his way back to Calgary. “I guess we made a mistake about it.”

Heseltine said he was frustrated with how WestJet handled the situation and was unable to reach customer service. “We’re kind of in the wind,” he said.

Blair Gregory, a resident of London, Ont., was at the Calgary airport with his wife, Isabel, and one-year-old son Henry, waiting to return home after spending two weeks in the Rockies. They expected to fly Sunday, but will return home Tuesday after booking with Flair Airlines.

“We’re fortunate to be able to afford it and hopefully we can get some of that money back,” Gregory said.

Prime Minister calls on federal government to end work stoppage

Alberta politicians have also taken a stand in the dispute involving the Calgary airline. Western Canada is particularly affected by the strike because of WestJet’s large presence in the region.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a message to “Allowing the strike to continue during binding arbitration is a blatant violation of all standards, practices and precedents for good faith collective bargaining. » Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen also called on the federal government to end the work stoppage.

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Alberta NDP labour critic Peggy Wright has not made the same demands of the federal government, urging both sides to return to the bargaining table and reach an agreement that would ensure WestJet mechanics have a decent living.

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— With files from Jim Wells and The Canadian Press

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