More flight cancellations over long weekend due to strike: WestJet

A sudden strike by the WestJet mechanics union is forcing the airline to cancel several flights over the Canada Day long weekend, disrupting the plans of more than 49,000 travelers.

The Calgary-based airline has already canceled a total of 407 flights over the weekend in an effort to “maintain stability.”

Most flights were canceled on Saturday, with 282 trips on WestJet planes canceled.

The travel disruption comes after members of the Fraternal Association of Aircraft Mechanics walked out Friday afternoon, saying “WestJet’s unwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.”

The job action comes after union members rejected a deal from WestJet earlier this month and after two weeks of tense negotiations between the two sides that led to the federal government’s intervention and the mandate of WestJet and the union to binding arbitration.

AMFA management posted a letter from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board regarding its decision, which said the ministerial referral “does not have the effect of suspending the right to strike or lockout.”

WestJet says it is “extremely outraged by these actions and will hold AMFA 100% accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred as a result.”

Federal Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan, who said the Canada Industrial Relations Board’s order was “clearly inconsistent” with the direction he provided, intervened again Saturday, telling both sides to work together with the council to reach an agreement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2024.

– with files from Christopher Reynolds in Montreal

The Canadian Press