A strike between WestJet and its Airline Mechanics has likely been averted.

The Federal Government announced today (Thursday), it directed the airline and the union representing its 670 plane mechanics to resolve their dispute via binding arbitration.

Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan stated via social media he invoked his authority under the Canada Labour Code to resolve the impasse ahead of tomorrow’s deadline (Friday).

WestJet cancelled 25 flights scheduled for today and tomorrow, impacting 33-hundred passengers in anticipation of a possible walkout.

The airline cancelled 50 flights last week after the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association served its first strike notice on June 17.

After negotiations re-ignited, a second strike notice was issued by the union on Tuesday.

The AMFA issued the following statement regarding Ottawa’s decision to intervene:

In an order received this afternoon, the Minister of Labour ordered the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose final binding arbitration to resolve the outstanding terms of our collective bargaining agreement.

In a June 19 CIRB decision rejecting WestJet’s previous application for a strike injunction, the Board determined that it did not have the authority to interfere in the free bargaining process nor abridge the sacred right of workers to withhold their labour in order to obtain improved wages and working conditions.

The Board continued to consider WestJet’s request for compulsory arbitration under the Canada Labour Code. Its prior decisions confirmed that it had submitted parties to that process only seven times in the last forty-five years. AMFA diligently worked on its objection to the request in the late hours of the night. The Minister’s order issued prior to AMFA’s filing of its brief to the CIRB.

AMFA legal counsel and FMCS representative advises that there is no modern precedent for the Minister’s action. AMFA will comply with the Minister’s order and directs its members to refrain from any unlawful job action.

Fraternally,

AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee

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