WestJet cancels flights to prepare for possible mechanics strike

WestJet announced on Wednesday that the company had begun cancelling and consolidating flights in preparation for a strike by its aircraft maintenance technicians and other technical operations staff.

In preparation for the expected strike, which is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, WestJet said it would cancel 40 flights from June 18-19, affecting 6,500 customers.

WestJet Airlines’ mechanics union said Tuesday it had given the airline a 72-hour strike notice.

The strike affects around 681 aircraft maintenance technicians and other skilled workers, the union said.

The Canadian Industrial Review Board will hold a hearing on Wednesday into the dispute between the airline and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. The board could take a number of actions, including ordering arbitration.

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“There may be some flight cancellations in the short term, but I hope cooler heads will prevail,” Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan told reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday.

WestJet, which is backed by Onex Corp and competes with rival Air Canada, is facing demands from employees for better working conditions and higher wages.

Additional reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WestJet cancels flights ahead of possible mechanics strike