WestJet cancels dozens of flights in anticipation of mechanics strike
Calgary-based airline asks passengers to check their flight status to see if they are impacted
Published Jun 19, 2024 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 3 minute read
WestJet has cancelled 40 flights as it prepares for labour action from its aircraft maintenance engineers and technical operations workers.
On Wednesday, WestJet president Diederik Pen said that the company was waiting to hear from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board on whether it would direct the company and the union representing the workers to arbitration to come up with a collective agreement.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.or
Article content
In the meantime, the company has cancelled 40 flights affecting 6,500 customers so that planes will not be stranded if the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association makes good on its threat to strike.
Around 670 WestJet mechanics could walk off the job as early as Thursday evening after serving the airline with a strike notice earlier this week following months of negotiations.
Pen said the offer would make the aircraft maintenance engineers the highest paid in Canada, with a take-home pay increase of between 30 and 40 per cent in the first year of the proposed agreement.
The union said Monday it opposes WestJet’s request for arbitration because the process could undermine aircraft maintenance engineers’ bid for greater contract gains.
“If adopted by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, it would utterly frustrate the AMEs’ goal of reaching an industry-changing contract because arbitrators are generally driven by industry ‘norms’ — the same norms that have kept AMEs under the heel of management and industrial unions which favour the unskilled majority,” the negotiating committee claimed in a statement Monday.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Article content
Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said federal mediators continue to work with both parties this week.
Passenger protection regulations entitle customers to a full refund in the original form of payment for the cancelled trips, said Gabor Lukacs, president of the Air Passenger Rights advocacy group.
If the strike goes ahead and WestJet cannot rebook passengers within 48 hours of the original departure time, the airline must “buy passengers seats on competitor airlines — at WestJet’s expense,” Lukacs said, citing the Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
For trips cancelled before the possible work stoppage, he argued that the carrier must rebook customers on competitors’ flights if they cannot get them on board WestJet planes within nine hours of the slated departure. The airline would also be on the hook for meals and accommodations as well as compensation — distinct from a refund — of between $400 and $1,000, depending on the length of the delay.
“If I were an affected passenger, I would give WestJet one chance to rebook me on a competitor. I would record the call/interaction. If ignored or refused, I would buy a ticket on a competitor, and then make WestJet pay for all the expenses plus the standard (passenger rights) compensation,” Lukacs said.
Article content
On top of the 40-odd flights cancelled by the airline Tuesday and Wednesday, at least 13 more have been called off so far for Thursday, according to tracking service FlightAware.
With files from Canadian Press.
Recommended from Editorial
YVR food service workers could go on strike during busy spring break
Union protests firing of Victoria airport security screeners; agency alleges 'incomplete screening'
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.
Article content
