Summary
- WestJet’s maintenance technicians, represented by the the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), have issued a second strike notice to WestJet.
- The strike notice came before a long weekend in Canada, with WestJet noting that a strike notice does not mean that flights will be disrupted.
- The airline attempted to file for arbitration with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), while the union argued that the petition was invalid since the two parties were still negotiating.
After WestJet’s maintenance technicians u-turned on their decision to negotiate with the airline, handing in their second strike notice, the airline group, composed of WestJet and WestJet Encore, locked out their maintenance engineers. This was the second strike notice in a few weeks’ time, with the union pointing out that its strike authorization vote was valid until July 9, 2024.
Best-paid maintenance engineers in Canada
On June 25, WestJet issued a statement that the maintenance technicians union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), handed in their second strike notice in a few weeks. The labor action could occur as soon as June 28, a Friday before a long weekend.
Photo: Welshboy2020 | Shutterstock
Since July 1, a Monday is a national holiday due to Canada Day, the airline group pointed out that more than 70,000 passengers have booked tickets during the long weekend. WestJet added that AMFA had delivered its strike notice less than one day into the parties’ mutual agreement to return to negotiations.
“WestJet presented a revised industry leading offer, which would see WestJet AME’s [aircraft maintenance engineers – ed. note] receive a 22 per cent increase over four years, making them by far the best paid AMEs in Canada. The union’s ask exceeds this mark by a long shot and remains unreasonable.”
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The maintenance technicians’ union had accused WestJet of violating its rights to strike to improve their working conditions.
Disheartening strike notice
Diederik Pen, President of WestJet, the airline, and the chief operating officer (COO) of the airline group, reiterated that the second strike notice from the union, even if WestJet and AMFA agreed in front of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to return to the bargaining table, was “disheartening and unacceptable” for passengers and employees.
“We sincerely regret the stress and uncertainty AMFA’s tactics are causing Canadians, deliberately targeting the busy July long-weekend; however, we must hold strong on a reasonable outcome that protects affordable air travel for Canadians, for years to come.”
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
WestJet detailed that while a strike notice does not necessarily result in flight disruption, it will take preemptive action to manage the impact on its passengers and employees, including preparing to operate a reduced schedule. Furthermore, the airline group will proactively manage changes and cancelations to open up communication channels with customers and will provide flexible change and cancel options for those who wish to choose alternative itineraries.
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While WestJet said that its offer was generous, its maintenance technicians’ union said that there were problems inside the airline.
Returning to the bargaining table following the CIRB’s decision
AMFA issued its first strike after WestJet filed for arbitration in front of the CIRB, planning a strike that would have resulted in flight cancelations on June 18 and June 19, with the airline preemptively parking aircraft. Nevertheless, the union detailed that on June 19, the CIRB affirmed its members’ right to strike, which was promptly followed by WestJet agreeing to return to the negotiation table.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
As a result, AMFA rescinded its first strike notice, with the union reiterating that its strike authorization vote was valid until July 9. Furthermore, in a statement on June 24, AMFA called for the CIRB to reject WestJet’s motion for arbitration, which would result in a third party offering a collective labor agreement that would have to be accepted by the airline and union.
However, AMFA argued that the two sides were still negotiating, despite, according to the union, WestJet being involved in bad faith negotiating, which has included the airline’s lead negotiator frequently rejecting AMFA’s proposals without explanation, among other things.
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