WestJet reaches preliminary agreement to end mechanics strike

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WestJet has reached an agreement with its mechanics to end a strike that disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of travellers over the Canada Day long weekend.

In a press release on its website, WestJet warned that flight disruptions would continue over the coming week as its aircraft returned to service.

“The damage to Canadians and our airline is enormous, and a swift resolution was necessary. We are not taking victory laps over this outcome, but we will sleep better tonight knowing that further damage has been prevented,” airline president Diederik Pen said in the press release issued late Sunday.

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The Calgary-based airline notes that not all flights have resumed and recommends that travellers check the status of their flight before heading to the airport. With planes parked without crew bases at eight of 13 airports across Canada, the airline must transport employees to those planes for pickup.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) called on its members in a press release to immediately return to work until the preliminary agreement is voted on.

“We believe this outcome would not have been possible without the strike, but regret the disruption and inconvenience it caused to travellers during the Canada Day holiday,” the union said in a statement.

“We are glad that the strike only lasted 48 hours and that operations can now return to normal.”

Aviation expert: The transport authority decides on passengers’ compensation claims

More than 100,000 passengers are affected by the strike and many of them will demand compensation from WestJet in the coming weeks.

Since Thursday, WestJet has canceled 1,078 flights scheduled for the period up to Tuesday – the busiest travel weekend of the season, the airline said.

However, it is unclear whether WestJet will have to cover these costs, which could likely amount to $1,000 per passenger, said John Gradek, an aviation expert and professor at McGill University.

On its website, WestJet states that a work stoppage within the airline or an essential service provider is considered outside the control of the airline and that, therefore, travel plans affected by a strike are not eligible for compensation under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations.

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The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) must determine whether WestJet played an active role in the strike.

“As far as I’m concerned, my understanding is that the airline has it under control… I bet you (WestJet) are in intensive discussions with the CTA today to minimize the impact, because it’s going to be expensive,” Gradek said.

Normal operations are expected to resume later this week

Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan wrote on X: “Canadians’ patience has run out. Collective bargaining is the responsibility of the parties. The government’s responsibility is to facilitate and mediate those negotiations. The parties have finally done their job.”

About 680 workers, whose daily inspections and repairs are essential to the airline’s operations, walked off work on Friday evening despite a minister’s order for binding arbitration.

The vast majority of flights on Sunday were cancelled as WestJet reduced its fleet from 180 aircraft to 32 active planes, topping the list of cancellations among major airlines worldwide over the weekend.

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Prime Minister Danielle Smith had previously complained that the Canada Industrial Relations Board’s (CIRB) approval of the strike was a violation of existing laws, but now welcomed the end of the strike.

“The news is encouraging. It is good to see that both parties have reached a tentative agreement,” Smith wrote in a post to X.

The solution won’t immediately end travelers’ frustration — and many have already resolved their travel woes by choosing more expensive alternatives. Gradek said he expects the airline to return to normal operations by Thursday or Friday.

Some passengers have booked flights on competitors such as Flair Airlines, citing additional costs of more than $450. That was the route chosen by Blair Gregory and his wife Isabel, who were waiting at the Calgary airport on Sunday to return to London, Ontario.

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