WestJet network faces further strike threat ahead of busy travel weekend | News

A possible strike by maintenance workers threatens to disrupt again WestJetOperations resumed less than a week after a strike was called off and union negotiations resumed.

The Calgary-based airline said a work stoppage could begin as early as June 28, potentially disrupting air traffic for up to 70,000 passengers a day over the long weekend.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association has announced a strike “less than a day after the parties agreed to return to the bargaining table for four days,” according to WestJet. The airline claims to have presented a “revised, industry-leading offer” that would increase maintenance workers’ wages by 22% over four years.

“The union’s demand far exceeds this limit and remains unreasonable,” WestJet says.

The air Line narrowly avoidedD On June 20, the airline launched a strike after proactively cancelling around 40 flights on June 18 in anticipation of a possible flight cancellation to prevent customers, crew and aircraft from being stranded in remote locations.

But the two parties agreed at the last minute to return to the negotiating table, seemingly avoiding further network disruptions.

Diederik Pen, WestJet’s COO, says the threat of a second strike is “discouraging and unacceptable to our guests, employees and the communities and businesses that depend on our service.”

“We sincerely regret the stress and uncertainty that AMFA’s tactics are causing Canadians by specifically targeting the busy July long weekend,” he added.

The WestJet Group recently went through a similarly acrimonious process with its regional pilots, as the flight deck crews for WestJet Encore ratified a new five-year treaty at the second attempt – and only after threats of strike action that could have disrupted the airline’s passenger operations.