The second-largest airline in Canada, WestJet, has cancelled 407 flights, disrupting the travel plans of 49,000 passengers. This follows the announcement by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) that its members had gone on strike, citing the airline’s “unwillingness to negotiate with the union.”
The unexpected strike, which impacts both international and domestic flights, began on Friday evening. It came just a day after the federal government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration, following two weeks of challenging negotiations with the union over a new contract.
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WestJet responded by saying it would continue to park aircraft through Sunday for the long weekend, culminating in Canada Day on Monday. With a fleet of about 200 aircraft, the airline anticipates operating approximately 30 planes by Sunday evening.
As a result of the current strike action by the union representing our Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, guests travelling are advised to check the status of their flight prior to heading to the airport. https://t.co/mKTNT8YFlM pic.twitter.com/BE7DeKwXSY
— WestJet (@WestJet) June 29, 2024
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech criticized the strike, attributing the disruption to what he described as a “rogue union from the U.S.” attempting to gain influence in Canada. He stated that the airline considered negotiations with the union concluded following the government’s arbitration order.
‘It makes no sense’
“This makes a strike totally absurd because the reason you actually do a strike is because you need to exercise pressure on the bargaining table,” von Hoensbroech said. “If there is no bargaining table, it makes no sense; there shouldn’t be a strike.” He added that the union had turned down a contract offer that would have made WestJet’s mechanics the “best-paid in the country.”
However, the union negotiating committee referenced an order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board that does not explicitly prohibit strikes or lockouts while the arbitration is in process.
‘Respectful negotiation’
Sean McVeigh, a WestJet aircraft maintenance engineer picketing at Toronto Pearson International Airport Terminal 3, explained that the strike aims to force the airline back to “respectful negotiation.” McVeigh expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to passengers but emphasized the union’s demand for financial appreciation in line with their responsibilities.
“However, the reason they (passengers) have possibly missed a flight or had to cancel is due to the reason that WestJet is not respectfully sitting down at the table and negotiating,” he said alongside roughly 20 others on the picket line. “We take on a lot of responsibility and we would just like to be appreciated financially,” he added.
Frustrated WestJet passengers
Among the affected passengers at Pearson were Samin Sahan and Samee Jan, who were planning a family trip to Calgary. Despite receiving emails that their flight had been rescheduled for Monday, they went to the terminal seeking clarification. Sahan expressed frustration over the uncertainty caused by the strike and the airline’s handling of the situation.
“This inaction is hurting a lot of people, their own company as well as their customers who will likely no longer be their customers ever again,” Sahan said. Jan described the situation as “sad.”
As the strike continues, both passengers and airline employees await a resolution to the ongoing dispute, hoping for a swift return to regular operations and fair negotiations.
