(Update: July 1, 2024 @ 7:30 am): After multiple days and hundreds of WestJet flights being cancelled, the airline and striking mechanics have agreed to a tentative deal as of late Sunday evening.
In a news release sent out at 9:30 pm PDT, the airline confirmed that the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) members will return to work immediately to restore the airline's network.
“The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift resolution was necessary; we take no victory laps on this outcome but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been prevented,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and group chief operating officer.
“We will see no further labour action coming out of this dispute, as both parties agree to arbitrate the contract in the case of a failed ratification.”
As of Sunday afternoon, the airline had cancelled more than 800 flights because of the strike and was forced to park 130 aircraft at 13 different Canadian airports.
“Lack of clarity from the government and the decisions taken by the CIRB allowed for a strike to occur amidst binding arbitration,” added the news release.
“With no path forward to resolution, both parties made essential movements to find common ground and achieve an agreement.”
The negotiated contract will cover the next five years and according to the union, the deal provides “immediate pay increases, full restoration of the WestJet Savings Plan (WSP) and improved benefits for the employees.”
“We believe this outcome would not have been possible without the strike, but we do regret the disruption and inconvenience it has caused the travelling public over the Canada Day holiday period,” stated the union.
“The timing was coincidental as the negotiation process did not follow a predictable timeline. We are pleased the strike lasted only 48 hours and that service can now return to normal. We appreciate the support the public has given us as our organization stood up to management on behalf of hardworking Canadians.”
Further disruptions are expected this week as the airline returns to normal operations.
(Update: June 30, 2024 @ 3:00 pm): The cancellations continue to pile up for WestJet after announcing Sunday afternoon that 832 flights had been axed since the beginning of the mechanics strike.
"We continue to hold our view that the current strike serves no purpose other than to inflict maximum damage to our airline and the country,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and group chief operating officer.
“WestJet is in receipt of a binding arbitration order and awaits urgent clarity from the government that a strike and arbitration cannot exist simultaneously; this is something they have committed to address and like all Canadians, we are waiting."
The airline continued parking its fleet on Sunday and will be down to approximately 32 active tails for as long as the labour action continues.
(Update: June 30, 2024 @ 8:00 am): To “maintain stability” across its remaining operation, WestJet announced Saturday evening that more flights had been cancelled, with the total now up to 407 axed trips.
In a news release posted Saturday night, the airline announced 68 flights on Sunday, 11 on Monday and three on Tuesday were cancelled.
The airline added it will continue to park aircraft throughout the weekend, reducing its operating fleet to approximately 30 aircraft by Sunday evening.
In a statement released on June 30 by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union said that the two parties worked in separate sessions with mediators to see if a deal could be reached Saturday night.
“Finally, at 1:00 am EDT on Saturday, June 29, after waiting hours in a virtual breakout room, the mediators returned to inform us that WestJet executives had decided to "call it a night.”
The union added that the two parties are set to reconvene on Sunday morning and they are separated by a first-year economic difference of 7% or around $8 million.
"Today (Saturday) has been incredibly challenging for all of us at WestJet. Every flight cancellation we are forced to issue represents hundreds of guests, who are being impacted by the continued reckless actions of this union," says Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and group chief operating officer.
"In the face of immense adversity, our teams are working hard and delivering a safe and controlled operation."
Travellers are recommended to check the status of their flights online at this link.
(Update: June 29, 2024 @ Noon): More WestJet flights could be on the chopping block warned the airline in an afternoon update after sharing that 235 flights had already been cancelled.
The airline added that 150 more flights could be cancelled on Saturday and that 33,000 travellers have been affected.
"This situation is devastating. The union's irrational actions are single-handedly causing irrevocable damage to our guests who are missing wedding celebrations, critical medical appointments, family reunions and long-awaited vacations while stranding thousands of Canadians who are left without support or a flight home," said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and group chief operating officer.
"We are seeking every avenue for intervention and working around the clock to maintain a stable network, while we reduce our flying in a safe and controlled manner."
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) also issued an update on their website earlier today stating: “WestJet has issued a lockout notice, which it has not rescinded. Similarly, we are exercising our constitutional right to withhold our labour.”
The union then added it has “offered to meet, at any time and any place, to resume negotiations. WestJet has not responded. That is the truth.”
(Original story: June 29, 2024 @ 8:20 am)The long weekend travel plans of thousands of people have been disrupted after the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) decided to go on strike Friday night, leading to the cancellation of 150 WestJet flights Saturday morning.
The cancelled flights are expected to impact approximately 20,000 travellers and according to the airline, more cancellations are anticipated.
"A strike serves no one, as this negotiation has already been referred to binding arbitration. We know how painful this is for our guests and our people; however, we must start the immediate and safe parking of our aircraft," said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and group chief operating officer.
"The scale of this deliberate disruption is devastating and AMFA must be held accountable for their reckless actions. Without immediate intervention, significant disruption will unnecessarily harm tens of thousands of Canadians along with the entire economic ecosystem that depends on our critical air service."
The airline said it is asking for immediate intervention by the Minister of Labour and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), with more than 250,000 WestJet travellers scheduled to fly on the long weekend.
In a statement released by the AMFA on Friday, the union said the two sides are separated by a difference of approximately 7% or $8 million yearly.
“WestJet provoked this collective action by a long history of bad faith bargaining only some of which is reflected in AMFA’s charges pending before the CIRB,” reads a letter from the union to the airline.
“This failure to bargain persists to this date with WestJet’s abrupt cessation of negotiations in Toronto and the cancellation of our scheduled meetings in Calgary.”
Travellers are recommended to check the status of their flights online.
