WestJet mechanics union announces 72-hour strike

WestJet mechanics union announces 72-hour strike

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(Reuters) – WestJet Airlines mechanics have given the airline a 72-hour strike notice, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association union said on Tuesday.

The strike, which is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, affects about 681 aircraft maintenance technicians and other skilled workers, the union said.

In the event of a strike, the collective bargaining unit’s employees would not carry out any further work, it was said.

According to WestJet, the 72-hour notice does not mean that there would be a travel disruption.

The union’s announcement came after the airline filed a formal request for the Canadian Industrial Relations Board and the Minister of Labour to intervene under the Canadian Labour Act.

Last week, WestJet Encore pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, ratified a new five-year contract with salary increases with the Canadian regional airline.

WestJet Encore operates a network of regional flights serving WestJet Airlines’ core carriers.

WestJet, which is owned by Onex Corp., is competing with rival Air Canada to meet workers’ demands and reduce the wage gap with better-paying competitors in the United States.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes and Allison Lampert; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)