More WestJet flight cancellations as Canadian airline strike hits tens of thousands of travelers

TORONTO – WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, said Sunday it had cancelled more than 800 flights, affecting tens of thousands of passengers, as an unexpected strike by aircraft mechanics entered its third day.

Around 680 employees who carry out daily inspections and repairs for the airlines’ operations went on strike on Friday evening despite an instruction from the Federal Minister of Labor to enter into a binding arbitration procedure.

The strike takes place during the Canada Day long weekend, the busiest travel week of the year in the country.

Both the airline and the Airplane Mechanics Fraternal Association accused the other side of refusing to negotiate seriously.

WestJet Airlines President Diederik Pen has highlighted what he sees as the “continued reckless actions” of a union that is making “blatant efforts” to disrupt Canadians’ travel plans. The union also claimed that the Calgary, Alberta-based company has refused to respond to its latest counter-proposal.

An update to members on Sunday said the mechanics were “victims of WestJet’s vicious PR campaign claiming they are lawbreakers” and referred to “vilification” of the workers related to their right to strike.

The industrial action came after union members overwhelmingly voted against a tentative collective agreement with WestJet in mid-June and two weeks of tense talks between the two parties.

As the clock counted down to the strike ending on Friday, the impasse prompted Employment Minister Seamus O’Regan to intervene, ordering WestJet and the union to go to binding arbitration in the country’s employment court.

This procedure is usually used to circumvent a work stoppage. WestJet certainly agreed, saying the union had “confirmed that it will comply with the order.”

“In this context, there will be no strike or lockout and the airline will no longer cancel flights,” the airline said on Thursday.

The mechanics disagreed. The union’s negotiating committee said it would “follow the Minister’s instructions and instruct its members to refrain from any unlawful industrial action.” Less than 24 hours later, the workers were on the picket line.