Canada’s second-largest airline, WestJet, has faced significant disruption with the cancellation of 407 flights, affecting approximately 49,000 passengers after its maintenance workers union initiated a strike.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) announced the strike, citing WestJet’s alleged refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations. The strike, affecting both domestic and international flights, commenced Friday evening following a federal government order for binding arbitration, issued after contentious discussions over a new labor agreement failed to reach a resolution.
WestJet has responded by grounding a substantial portion of its fleet through the long weekend leading up to Canada Day, intending to operate around 30 aircraft by Sunday evening out of its fleet of approximately 200.
CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech criticized the union, describing it as an outsider from the U.S. attempting to influence Canadian labor relations. He emphasized that once arbitration was mandated, the rationale for a strike became obsolete, as strikes are typically used to apply pressure during negotiations.
Von Hoensbroech noted that WestJet had offered a contract that would have made its mechanics the highest-paid in the country, which the union rejected.
In response, the union’s negotiating committee referenced a Canada Industrial Relations Board order that did not explicitly prohibit strikes during arbitration.
On the picket lines, union members like Sean McVeigh expressed regret over the inconvenience to passengers but stressed the importance of respectful negotiations and fair compensation for their responsibilities.
Passengers affected by the strike at Toronto Pearson International Airport voiced frustration over disrupted travel plans, highlighting the uncertainty caused by flight reschedulings and cancellations amidst ongoing labor disputes.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by WestJet and its passengers as the airline works to manage operational disruptions and navigate labor relations amid the peak summer travel season.
