WestJet strike: cancellations begin, airline CEO doesn’t see a resolution

EDITOR'S NOTE: The possible strike at WestJet was averted on Thursday (June 27) after the federal government directed the airline and its plane mechanics into binding arbitration to resolve their dispute. 

For the latest on this story, click here. 

WestJet has started cancelling flights as its aircraft maintenance engineers and tech op workers plan to go on strike tomorrow (Friday June 28) at 5:30 p.m. MT.

In a press release Wednesday (June 26), the airline said the pre-strike cancellations will allow it to “safely park its aircraft in a controlled manner.”

The measure will also ensure WestJet's customers and crew aren’t left stranded if the strike happens. 

The situation unfolds just as the July long weekend sets in. Yesterday, the airline said the timing of the strike could disrupt the travel plans of more than 250,000 guests this weekend.

READ MORE: WestJet receives second strike notice from mechanics union, prepares reduced schedule

WestJet said it presented the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) – the union representing the workers – an “industry-leading agreement that is better suited than the previously rejected tentative agreement.”

The offer is a 22 per cent increase in pay over four years. Still, just hours into day one of a mutually agreed to four-day bargaining period, the union served a strike notice.

Taking job action over a long weekend also “appears to be an attempt to force an unreasonable contract,” WestJet said.

"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, in a statement.

WestJet cancels flights

In the coming 48 hours, WestJet will park aircraft, which will result in the following cancellations.

Thursday, June 27 – Friday, June 28, 2024

• 25 cancellations

Guest impact

• 3,300 guests impacted

"We remain at the bargaining table, committed to reaching an agreement; however, we have no choice but to hold strong on a reasonable outcome that protects our future and ability to provide Canadians with critical and affordable air travel. As we initiate flight cancellations across our network, we will continue to manage our operations to the highest degree of safety," said Pen.

“I don’t see what the resolution could look like”

WestJet’s CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech held a press conference yesterday to address the situation. Based on comments he shared with Global News, it sounds like the airline and the AMFA have their work cut out for them.

“I don’t see what the resolution could look like,” von Hoensbroech said yesterday. “We are ready, we have put out our offer, which is very strong.”

The CEO went on to say that WestJet has a “great track record” of coming up with reasonable agreements with its union partners.

“But this union is very different,’ he said, noting that the AMFA is a U.S.-based organization.

He said the AMFA lost the majority of its membership in the U.S. “because of their unreasonable behaviour.”

“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. 

In separate comments made with outlets yesterday, von Hoensbroech said “we cannot sacrifice the future of our company for an unreasonable ask.”

He said 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." 

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