The WestJet strike, which caused the airline to cancel nearly 400 flights on the weekend, has come to an end as the union representing the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) has accepted a tentative deal. 

This new deal between WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) will come in the form of a new five-year contract. 

The contract for the AMEs includes immediate pay increases, full restoration of the WestJet Savings Plan (WSP) and improved benefits for the employees.

All AMEs will now return to work immediately and will soon vote to ratify the terms of the new deal. 

“We believe this outcome would not have been possible without the strike, but we do regret the disruption and inconvenience it has caused the traveling public over the Canada Day holiday period,” said the AMFA in a media release.  

“The timing was coincidental as the negotiation process did not follow a predictable timeline. We are pleased the strike lasted only 48 hours and that service can now return to normal.”


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WestJet blames the union and its members for damages to their bottom line as well as to Canadians. 

The airline also stated that they decided to cooperatively negotiate due to the lack of clarity from the government as well as the decisions taken by the situation’s arbitrator for a strike to take place. 

“With no path forward to resolution, both parties made essential movements to find common ground and achieve an agreement,” said WestJet in a statement. 

Now that the strike is over, WestJet says they will begin work to restore operations to their former state. 

“Given the significant impact to WestJet’s network over the past few days, returning to business-as-usual flying will take time and further disruptions over the coming week are to be anticipated as the airline gets aircraft and crew back into position,” the airline concluded.

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