WestJet cancels hundreds of flights after aircraft mechanics strike
CNN
Labor negotiations between WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association remain at a standstill after the union called a surprise strike last week, forcing more than 400 flight cancellations and delays over the weekend.
Labor negotiations between WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association remain at a standstill after the union called a surprise strike last week, forcing more than 400 flight cancellations and delays over the weekend. The union, which represents nearly 700 aircraft engineers and technicians, went on strike Friday after negotiations over the group’s first collective bargaining agreement with the airline broke down over what it said was WestJet’s “refusal to negotiate.” The strike follows back-and-forth talks between the union and the airline stretching back to September 2023, when representatives met for an initial bargaining session. At the meeting, according to a memo from the association, union representatives raised concerns including “furloughs out of seniority order, irregularities in pay scale, and work privileges that have been eliminated without notice or rationale.” In addition to wage increases, the union is seeking protections for certain positions and improved benefits such as health care. On Sunday, the union told CNN “the parties are separated by a first-year economic difference of approximately 7%, less than $8 million.” WestJet has repeatedly condemned the strike, which comes during a long holiday weekend in Canada. The company says the strike will affect about 250,000 travelers’ plans. WestJet said in a statement Friday it has sought “immediate intervention by the Minister of Labour and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.” The airline says it has had to cancel more than 410 flights between Thursday and Saturday. Data from flight tracker FlightAware shows WestJet on Sunday had canceled at least 343 flights, constituting 77% of its fleet. The airline’s regional subsidiary, WestJet Encore, has canceled at least 80 flights.
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