AMFA strike ends following cancellation of more than 830 WestJet flights

Mechanics have been ordered back to work at WestJet, ending a strike that caused more than 830 flight cancellations for travellers over the weekend.

Overnight, their union and the airline announced that they had reached a provisional contractual agreement.

The Fraternal Association of Aircraft Mechanics urged its 680 striking members to return to work immediately while awaiting a vote on the five-year temporary agreement.

The workers walked out on Friday night, despite a federal directive calling for binding arbitration between the parties.

Original: from June 30, 2024

Those who booked flights with WestJet this long weekend will be disappointed to learn that their flight has likely been cancelled.

In addition to yesterday’s list of cancellations of more than 150 flights, the air carrier announced additional cancellations, now totaling 407.

This would have affected more than 49,000 passengers.

The Calgary-based company blames the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, the union that represents more than 680 aircraft mechanics and technical operators, for going on strike Friday.

AMFA says it had no choice given WestJet’s reluctance to negotiate a deal.