WestJet confirms end of AMFA strike

Further damage to guests, employees and communities is prevented while the airline works to rebuild

CALGARY, AB, June 30, 2024 /CNW/ – WestJet confirms that June 30, 2024 at 22:30 MTthe Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is withdrawing its strike. AMFA members will return to work as planned to immediately begin work to restore the network. The airline and AMFA have today agreed to a strike for the first time since Thursday, June 27despite a stalemate over the intent of the Minister’s binding arbitration order. They did so to reach a preliminary settlement and prevent further harm to the Canadian public.

“The damage to Canadians and our airline is enormous, a quick solution was necessary. We are not taking victory laps, but we will sleep better tonight knowing that further damage has been prevented,” said Diederik PenPresident of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer of the Group. “We will not see any further industrial action in this dispute as both parties have agreed to arbitrate the contract in the event of failed ratification.”

Due to a lack of clarity from the government and the decisions of the CIRB, a strike was able to occur despite binding arbitration. With no path to a solution, both parties took important steps to find common ground and reach an agreement.

The company was forced to ground 130 aircraft at 13 airports across Canadain response to the strike. With today’s news, the airline will begin work to resume operations safely and in a timely manner. Given the significant impact on WestJet’s network over the past few days, the return to normal flight operations will take some time and further disruption is expected in the coming week as the airline must get aircraft and crew back into position.

“We want to thank our guests for their patience during this uncertain and stressful time,” continued Pen. “I want to personally thank our WestJetter teams who have also been thrown into uncertainty and have once again demonstrated their diligence, dedication and resilience.”

The story goes on

About WestJet

In the 28 years that WestJet has been serving Canadian passengers, the company has halved airfares and increased the number of passengers flying in Canada to over 50 percent. WestJet started in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations and grew over the years to over 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26 countries.

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SOURCE: WESTJET, a partnership with Alberta

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