WestJet Reaches Deal with AMFA, Avoiding Cancellations

Early Monday morning, the WestJet Group announced that it had come to an agreement with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) on a new labor deal that is expected to avert major flight cancellations this week.

The deal, the first collective bargaining agreement between the two, will now head to membership for a ratification vote.

WestJet had issued a 72-hour lockout notice to AMFA on Saturday and said that a work stoppage could occur as early as Tuesday if the deal hadn’t been reached. The carrier said that, while working towards a deal, it was preparing to operate a reduced schedule ahead of the possible lockout.

The deal announced Monday, once ratified, will make those plans obsolete.

“We are grateful to have arrived at a deal, averting a work stoppage and any impact to our guests’ valued travel plans. We sincerely appreciate our guests’ patience during this time and are pleased to move forward with an unwavering focus to providing friendly, reliable and affordable air service to Canadians for years to come, as one unified team,” Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer, said.