WestJet cancels around 40 flights ahead of mechanics strike

The flight cancellations come as WestJet awaits a response to its request for the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to intervene. If accepted, the request would take the dispute to arbitration and prevent industrial action by either side, the company said.

AMFA, whose members voted overwhelmingly against a tentative agreement last week, opposes the move, saying it would undermine its goal of an “industry-changing contract.”

According to Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and the group’s chief operating officer, the proposed deal would have made the employees the best-paid aircraft mechanics in the country.

“We are deeply disappointed that AMFA’s strike announcement requires us to activate our contingency plan and park aircraft. We deeply regret that this will impact the travel plans of our guests, communities and businesses that rely on our essential service,” said Pen.

“After the members’ almost unanimous decision to reject a generous interim collective agreement that would have made our aircraft maintenance technicians the best paid in the country, with a net wage increase of 30 to 40 percent in the first year of the proposed agreement, it is clear that the negotiation process has failed,” he added.

Pen says every effort is being made to accommodate all affected guests. Travelers are advised to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport. They can also visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page for more information on flight status and travel changes.

With file from The Canadian Press