Canada’s second-largest airline, WestJet, has cancelled 407 flights affecting 49,000 passengers after the maintenance workers’ union went on strike. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association initiated the strike on Friday evening, citing the airline’s “unwillingness to negotiate.”
The strike disrupted international and domestic flights after the federal government ordered binding arbitration on Thursday, following two weeks of negotiations. WestJet announced it would continue to park aircraft through the long weekend, operating only about 30 of its 200 planes by Sunday evening.
As a result of the current strike action by the union representing our Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, guests travelling are advised to check the status of their flight prior to heading to the airport. https://t.co/mKTNT8YFlM pic.twitter.com/BE7DeKwXSY
— WestJet (@WestJet) June 29, 2024
CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech criticized the union, calling it a “rogue union from the U.S.,” and argued that the strike was pointless since the government had directed the dispute to arbitration. He added that the union had rejected an offer that would have made the mechanics the best-paid in the country.
The union negotiating committee referenced an order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board that does not explicitly bar strikes or lockouts during arbitration. WestJet aircraft maintenance engineer Sean McVeigh, picketing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, said the strike aims to force respectful negotiations with the airline.
Passengers, including Samin Sahan and Samee Jan, faced disruptions to their travel plans, with flights rescheduled and uncertainty about their upcoming trip to Calgary. McVeigh expressed regret for the inconvenience to passengers but blamed WestJet for not negotiating respectfully.