WestJet cancels 40 flights ahead of mechanics strike

WestJet, one of Canada’s largest airlines, has just announced that it will cancel around 40 flights in anticipation of a possible strike by its aircraft maintenance workers on Thursday, June 20. The sudden move came without notice and has left thousands of passengers scrambling to find alternative travel arrangements, sparking outrage among those affected.

It is estimated that around 670 WestJet mechanics (represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association) will walk out of work this week. The union had given the airline notice of a strike earlier this week after months of difficult negotiations. The union overwhelmingly rejected a tentative agreement and said it was prepared to initiate a work stoppage as early as Thursday evening.

In a recent press release, the airline explains: “This measure (cancelling flights) allows for proactive communication with guests and crew to minimize the risk of stranding and ensure that the airline can avoid abandoning aircraft in remote locations.”

The decision to cancel the flights comes as Calgary-based WestJet Group awaits a response from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) on whether or not it will intervene under the Canadian Labour Code. “If adopted, this measure would bring both WestJet and AMFA before arbitration to enter into an initial collective agreement and prevent industrial action by either party.”

“We are deeply disheartened that AMFA’s strike announcement requires us to now activate our contingency plan and begin parking aircraft. We deeply regret that this will disrupt the travel plans of our guests, communities and businesses that rely on our essential air service,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer of the Group. “After the members’ almost unanimous decision to reject a generous tentative agreement that would have made our aircraft maintenance technicians the highest paid in the country, with a 30 to 40 percent net pay increase in the first year of the proposed agreement, it is clear that the negotiation process has failed.”

So far, flights have been cancelled on June 18 and 19, resulting in 40 cancellations and 6,500 affected passengers. The airline has announced that it will be grounding aircraft in a “measured, gradual and safe” manner over the next 48 hours. WestJet is attempting to rebook affected passengers on alternative flights. Check the WestJet website for flight updates and the status of your flight.

Concerns about remuneration

Under the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), passengers may be entitled to compensation for flight delays and cancellations that are within the airline’s control. However, according to WestJet’s website, work stoppages are considered outside the airline’s control under the regulations, so WestJet may be exempt from paying compensation in this case. The website states: “Under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), a work stoppage within the airline or an essential service provider is considered outside the airline’s control. Therefore, any disruption to travel plans due to work stoppages or strikes will not be eligible for compensation under the APPR.”