WestJet Cancels More Flights Ahead of Mechanic Strike

WestJet is cancelling at least 25 flights in anticipation of tomorrow’s strike, impacting approximately 3,300 guests.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which represents the Canadian airline’s maintenance engineers and other technical operations employees, served a second strike notice to WestJet on June 25. Work stoppage could occur as early as 5:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. ET) on June 28.

“As we quickly approach the July long weekend, it is especially devastating that the strike notice we have received from AMFA forces us to begin cancelling flights and parking aircraft, for the second time in just over a week. As we are forced to make this painful decision, every one of us at WestJet feels the immense weight of the impact this will have on each of our guests and the communities we serve, counting on us to fulfill their travel plans this weekend,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and group chief operating officer.

According to WestJet, the strike’s timing—the Friday of the July long weekend—could disrupt as many as 250,000 guests scheduled to travel.

At a press conference held yesterday, WestJet’s CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech urged the union to “act reasonably,” noting that the engineers are already among the highest paid in Canada.  

For the union, the offer is not enough. AMFA National President Bret Oestreich told TMR that WestJet was “refus[ing] to engage in meaningful negotiations with respect to economic issues,” citing previous statements made by Hoensbroech to the press.

“Strike or no strike, AMFA will always be available for negotiations,” Oestreich said.