Canada reviews labour authority’s decision after surprise strike at WestJet

A Canadian government official said Saturday he was reviewing a decision by the country’s labour ministry after a surprise strike by WestJet Airlines mechanics led to 150 flight cancellations affecting about 20,000 passengers.

Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said in a statement published on X that a decision by the Canada Industrial Labour Board was “obviously inconsistent with my directive.”

“I will take further steps to protect the interests of the employer, the union and all Canadians travelling this national holiday weekend,” O’Regan said.

To avert a strike by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, a union of around 680 members working for Canada’s second-largest airline, O’Regan had asked the board to settle the dispute through binding arbitration.

While the board ordered on Friday that the contract should be finalized through arbitration, it added in an order that “the referral to the ministry does not result in the suspension of the right to strike or lockout.”

In North America, unions have taken advantage of the tight labor market and won high wages at the negotiating table. Pilots, auto workers and others have secured substantial pay increases in 2023.

The union has announced a strike at WestJet after 97% of its members voted against a tentative collective agreement negotiated in May.

WestJet said it was actively taking measures to minimize flight disruptions and had asked the Canadian government, among others, for immediate intervention.

“We know how painful this is for our guests and our employees. However, we must immediately begin safely parking our aircraft,” Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer, said in a statement on Friday.

The union said it had been informed by WestJet that the airline would not pursue further collective bargaining in Toronto, citing government-ordered arbitration. REUTERS