WestJet strike averted as Ottawa intervenes

EDITOR'S NOTE: WestJet has confirmed that as of June 30, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. MT, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) are withdrawing their strike action. Click here for the latest details.

A possible strike at WestJet has been averted, alleviating the threat of major flight cancellations ahead of the Canada Day long weekend – one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

The federal government on Thursday (June 27) ordered the airline and its plane mechanics into binding arbitration to resolve their dispute, which was set to result in a strike Friday. 

In a press release, WestJet confirmed the intervention, noting that the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) will assist it and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which represents aircraft maintenance engineers and tech op workers, in reaching a first collective agreement.

The CIRB has confirmed receipt and has taken actions to start the process. WestJet and AMFA will enter final binding arbitration to resolve the outstanding terms of the collective agreement, the press release states.

The move means “a strike or lockout will not occur,” WestJet said, noting it will no longer be cancelling flights.

"With the government's actions, the summer travel plans of Canadians have been protected and we have a path to resolution," said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet airlines and group chief operating officer. "We recognize the significant impact the initial cancellations continue to have on our guests and our people, and we sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding as we resume operations."

WestJet, which cancelled 25 flights (impacting some 3,300 guests) on Thursday as a preemptive measure, said it is ramping up its operations “as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Guests can continue checking the status of their flights before departing for the airport.

Ottawa steps in

In a social media post, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said he was invoking his authority under the Canada Labour Code to resolve the impasse between the two groups as the clock ticked down toward the Friday evening deadline.

“Strong first agreements set unions and employers on the path of collective bargaining,” O’Regan wrote. “They set a strong foundation to build upon at the bargaining table and bring the parties one step closer to a strong second agreement and an even stronger third agreement — reached at the bargaining table. That’s what we want to see here.”

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) could decide to not to suspend the right to a work stoppage as it tries to achieve a contract, but precedent suggests that outcome is unlikely.

A “very different” union

The AMFA first served WestJet with a 72-hour strike notice on June 17, prompting the airline to cancel nearly 50 flights last week before both sides agreed to resume negotiations.

A second strike notice came Tuesday amid negotiations over a first collective agreement between WestJet and around 680 maintenance engineers.

Yesterday, WestJet’s CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech held a press conference and painted a picture of the situation, telling reporters: “I don’t see what the resolution could look like.”

He called the AMFA a “very different” union because it is based in the U.S.  

“They’re trying to push into Canada and get access to Canadian airlines. They’re now taking Canadians hostage to make their marketing platform [and] become a union in Canada. I’m not sure we want that," said von Hoensbroech.

The CEO noted that the average aircraft maintenance engineer at WestJet made $109,000 in 2023.

“That’s a fair amount of money,” he said, adding that the best paid engineers make between $150,000 and $170,000. “They’re already among the best paid in Canada." 

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.