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

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.

This could get ugly.

Despite intervention from the Canadian government, the union representing WestJet’s maintenance engineers have commenced a strike just as the Canada Day long weekend – one of the busiest travel seasons of the year – begins. 

According to a notice posted Friday evening by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which represents WestJet’s aircraft maintenance engineers and tech ops, workers took strike action at 7:30 p.m. EST.

“The union remains engaged in dialogue with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) and the airline to resolve this impasse,” the AMFA wrote. “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.”

"Outraged"

WestJet issued an urgent media brief shortly after, saying it is “outraged” the AMFA is commencing a strike despite Ottawa's order for arbitration and public commitment to abide by it. 

“The government has officially stepped in to provide binding arbitration and ensure we get to a resolution; the only reason for this union to continue with a strike action is to create damage, disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Canadians over the July long weekend and to inflict significant costs on our business,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and Group chief operating officer, in a statement.

“Given arbitration has been ordered, a strike has no leverage on the arbitration’s outcome, so it is pure retaliation of a disappointed union. We are extremely outraged at these actions and will hold AMFA 100 per cent accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred as a result.” 

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

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.

Toronto Pearson airport acknowledged the situation on its X account late Friday. 

"Toronto Pearson is aware of a labour action taken tonight by WestJet mechanics. We will update passengers as any operational effects become clear," the airport wrote at 9:40 p.m. EST.

In an update posted to social media late Friday, WestJet wrote that there were no cancellations that evening as a result of the strike – "and no risk to the safety of our operations."

The airline added that it has activated flexible change and cancellation policies for travel between June 28 and 29. 

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.

The federal government on Thursday (June 27) then ordered the airline and its plane mechanics into binding arbitration to resolve their dispute, leading the public to believe that a Friday strike would be averted. 

In a press release yesterday, WestJet acknowledged Ottawa's involvement, saying that “a strike or lockout will not occur." It also said it would no longer be cancelling flights (already, on Thursday, WestJet announced 25 cancellations, which impacted some 3,300 guests).

WestJet’s CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech held a press conference on Wednesday to paint 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." 

This is a developing story.

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