Summary
- A WestJet strike has disrupted over 400 flights this weekend.
- The airline’s CEO has accused the union representing its mechanics of trying to disrupt as many people as possible.
- The union is seeking a negotiated settlement rather than a deal imposed by an arbitrator.
The CEO of Canadian airline WestJet is sounding off after a strike by the carrier’s mechanics has significantly disrupted its operations. The industrial action initially impacted over 150 flights and 20,000 passengers, but the complications have since doubled.
As a result, WestJet has been forced to park its aircraft throughout Canada’s long holiday weekend. The carrier’s chief executive slammed the union representing its mechanics on Sunday, accusing it of trying to disrupt as many people as possible.
Over 400 cancelations
WestJet updated its strike-related flight cancelation forecast on Friday. The bulk of the impacts occurred on Saturday, but cancelations are expected through Tuesday. Over 49,000 travelers have been affected by a total of 407 flight cancelations so far. The number is a significant increase from the carrier’s initial expectations, which called for “more than 150” cancelations “beginning on Saturday.” The airline said its decision to cancel the flights allows it to “maintain stability across its remaining operation.”
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer, spoke about the flight impacts on Saturday.
“Today 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. In the face of immense adversity, our teams are working hard and delivering a safe and controlled operation.”
“Until we get an agreement”
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is the union that represents WestJet’s aircraft mechanics. The association’s President, Bret Oestrich, said both pirates will reconvene negotiations with a mediator on Sunday, according to an exclusive report from Reuters.
“All we want to do is to go back to the table,” Oestreich explained. “The strike will be in effect until we get an agreement.”
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The AMFA, which is legally able to strike, reportedly represents around 680 WestJet workers. The union went on strike on Friday after several rounds of negotiations failed to reach a collective bargaining agreement on higher pay and better working conditions. Oestreich also explained that a first-year economic difference of approximately 7% separates the parties. The statistic is equal to less than $8 million on a contract that lasts roughly four years.
Photo: Denver International Airport
According to Reuters, a pay deal was reached in May, but 97% of the union’s members rejected it. WestJet reportedly said it had offered wage increases of more than 12% in the first year of the agreement, while compounded wages would be raised by 23% over the term of the agreement.
Urged to reach an agreement
WestJet’s CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, accused the AMFA of scheming to impact as many travelers as possible, according to Reuters.
“Their only purpose was to disrupt as many Canadian travelers as possible.”
WestJet is the second-largest carrier in Canada. Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O’Reagan has reportedly urged both WestJet and the AMFA to reach an agreement. O’Reagan has also asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to resolve the dispute between both sides through binding arbitration. Still, Oestreich maintained that the union wants a negotiated settlement instead of a deal imposed by an arbitrator, according to Reuters.
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