AMFA strike forces WestJet to cancel 150+ Saturday flights; 20,000 guests impacted

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.

As a result of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association’s (AMFA) decision to strike, WestJet began cancelling flights on Saturday (June 29).

“Significant disruption” to WestJet's schedule is expected across the Canada Day long weekend – one of the busiest travel times of the year – without intervention from the Minister of Labour and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) Union’s deliberate actions, the airline wrote in an update. 

The mechanic strike, WestJet said, will impact approximately 20,000 customers “with limited reaccommodation options available.”

Additional cancellations are anticipated by Saturday morning if the strike is not called off or intervention does not happen immediately, the airline wrote in an update.

WestJet said it is “actively and aggressively” pursuing every avenue to minimize disruption, including asking for immediate intervention by the Minister of Labour and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).

"Deliberate disruption" to flights

As previously reported, WestJet had more than 250,000 guests scheduled to fly across the long weekend. 

“A strike serves no one, as this negotiation has already been referred to binding arbitration. We know how painful this is for our guests and our people; however, we must start the immediate and safe parking or our aircraft,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and Group chief operating officer, in a statement. 

READ MORE: WestJet “outraged” as mechanics go on strike, “severe” disruptions expected

“The scale of this deliberate disruption is devastating and AMFA must be held accountable for their reckless actions. Without immediate intervention, significant disruption will unnecessarily harm tens of thousands of Canadians along with the entire economic ecosystem that depends on our critical air service.”

Beginning Saturday, WestJet will begin parking aircraft in stations across Canada with the intention of operating a significantly reduced schedule by end of day.

"This is irresponsible," says CEO

The WestJet Group's CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech took to his X platform early Saturday to address the situation. 

"How disheartening having to cancel hundreds of flights in response to an unreasonable strike by AMFA despite being ordered into arbitration. Bargaining is over and a strike serves no one! This is irresponsible and I am very sorry for our guests who bear the consequences," von Hoensbroech wrote.

The CEO will hold a press conference at WestJet's headquarters in Calgary at 10:00 a.m. MT today to comment further and provide updates. 

Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan has also spoken out on X, writing Saturday that he is reviewing the Canada Industrial Relations Board's decision, "which is clearly inconsistent with my direction to the Board."

"I will be looking at additional steps to protect the interests of the employer, the union and all Canadians travelling over this holiday weekend," O’Regan wrote.

von Hoensbroech reposted the statement to his account, welcoming the remarks. "Urgent resolution is required to prevent further disruption to Canadians travel plans," wrote WestJet's CEO. 

Toronto Pearson airport (YYZ) noted that passengers travelling out of Terminal 3 today will notice "a small WestJet picket as they enter the terminal." 

"There is minimal impact to passenger flow as WestJet agents are on hand to assist passengers," Canada's largest airport wrote on X. "Passengers with cancelled flights are encouraged to call WestJet customer service and rebook their flights from home." 

The airport added that there is no impact on operations at Terminal 1. "Toronto Pearson is closely monitoring the situation at WestJet and will provide updates as available," referring travellers to this link.

WestJet outraged

WestJet’s aircraft maintenance engineers and tech ops took strike action at 7:30 p.m. EST. Friday (June 28), according to an AMFA notice. 

“The union remains engaged in dialogue with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) and the airline to resolve this impasse,” the AMFA wrote in a post Friday evening. “The AME’s were hopeful this action would be unnecessary but the airline’s unwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.”

“While the AME’s and their union are eager to get back to work, the timeline for that is very much in the hands of WestJet Management.”

In response, WestJet said it was “outraged” by the move, with Pen calling it “pure retaliation of a disappointed union.”

The airline added that “severe travel disruption is to be expected if the strike is not called off immediately,” as the network takedown can no longer happen in the orderly manner that WestJet had originally planned.

Guests travelling are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. Travellers can also visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more.

WestJet says it has activated flexible change and cancellation policies for travel between June 28 and 29.

This is a developing story.

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