More WestJet flights cancelled as mechanics strike continues

As the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association strike enters its third day, airline WestJet has cancelled 424 flights for Sunday.

Since the strike began on Friday, a total of 832 WestJet flights in Canada have been cancelled, according to a press release from the airline.

Travelers should check the status of their flight before heading to the airport, the airline said.

“WestJet will operate a reduced schedule with its remaining fleet while industrial action continues,” the company wrote.

“We continue to believe that the current strike serves no purpose other than to cause maximum harm to our airline and the country. WestJet has received a binding arbitration award and is urgently awaiting clarification from the government that a strike and arbitration cannot occur simultaneously. This is an issue they have promised to address and, like all Canadians, we are waiting.”

In a statement on its website, the union said the Canada Industrial Relations Board had declared their strike legal, even though Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan Jr. had ordered “mandatory arbitration.”

“Until this process is completed, we are entitled to continue our lawful strike,” the union wrote.