WestJet Receives Strike Notice Ahead of Long Weekend

WestJet has received a second strike notice from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), just hours after returning to the bargaining table. 

Under the latest strike notice, a work stoppage could occur as early as Friday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m. MT (7:30 p.m. ET). This would disrupt travel across the Canada Day long weekend. According to WestJet, more than 70,000 guests are booked for travel.

“We sincerely regret the stress and uncertainty AMFA’s tactics are causing Canadians, deliberately targeting the busy July long weekend; however, we must hold strong on a reasonable outcome that protects affordable air travel for Canadians, for years to come,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and chief operating officer.

Last week, WestJet canceled 40 flights in response to the AMFA’s first strike notice. The union ultimately withdrew the strike notice, agreeing to return to the bargaining table. 

The AMFA, which represents WestJet’s maintenance engineers and other technical operations employees, served the second strike notice yesterday (June 25)—one day into the four-day bargaining session. 

“Receiving a second strike notification from the union after they mutually agreed with WestJet in front of the CIRB to return to the bargaining table in good faith for an additional four days following last week’s initial disruption, is disheartening and unacceptable for our guests, employees and the communities and businesses that rely on our service,” said Pen.

According to WestJet, AMFA rejected an “industry-leading offer,” which included a  22% pay increase delivered across four years.

A representative from AMFA argued that WestJet resumed negotiations “under inauspicious circumstances” and that the airline’s counteroffer was less than a 1% economic increase but with an extended contract term.

“We also, reluctantly, submitted the AMEs’ 72-hour strike notice in the hope that it will prompt WestJet to provide its employees with a good-faith offer,” Bret Oestreich, AMFA national president, told TMR. “Strike or no strike, AMFA will always be available for negotiations. We have agreed to extend negotiations in Toronto through the end of this week and resume in Calgary next week if necessary.”