The strike by WestJet Airlines’ mechanics over Canada’s long holiday weekend has led to hundreds of cancelled flights, frustrating passengers and causing disruptions. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association representing around 680 workers at WestJet, including aircraft maintenance engineers, went on strike after rejecting a pay deal reached in May. The union’s president, Bret Oestreich, stated that the strike will continue until an agreement is reached, with the two sides currently separated by a first-year economic difference of about 7%.
WestJet, owned by Onex Corp, has not provided immediate comments on the strike, but CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech criticized the union for the disruptions, accusing them of refusing to negotiate and aiming to disrupt Canadian travelers. The airline has cancelled a total of 407 flights during the weekend affecting over 49,000 passengers. The carrier’s president, Diederik Pen, mentioned that they were expecting to fly around 70,000 passengers a day during the long weekend and can maintain minimal service with 30-50 aircraft operating approximately 150 flights a day.
The strike has prompted Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan to urge WestJet and the union to find a resolution and reach an agreement. O’Regan previously sought to avoid the strike by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to resolve the contract dispute through binding arbitration. However, while the board agreed to arbitration, it did not suspend the right to strike or lockout. The union, in a legal position to strike, prefers a negotiated deal rather than an agreement imposed by an arbitrator.
WestJet has offered a 12.5% wage increase in the first year of the agreement, along with a compounded wage increase of 23% over the term of the agreement. The ongoing strike has caused frustration among travelers, with many expressing disappointment on social media about cancelled family holidays or being stranded. The union represented workers, including aircraft maintenance engineers, are determined to continue the strike until a satisfactory agreement is reached, emphasizing the importance of returning to the negotiation table with the airline to resolve the economic differences between the two sides.
