After days of back and forth between the airline, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the Minister of Labour (its Canada, ignore the added “u”) and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) the WestJet mechanics have gone on strike.
The battle between WestJet and the AMFA is getting brutal and this appears to be the next step after the union rejected a Canadian-leading proposal from the Calgary based carrier.
From my understanding, the AMFA members have commenced a strike despite the Minister of Labour’s order for arbitration and the union’s public commitment to abide by it.
In a statement released by the airline, Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer said, “”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. 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.”
Pen went on to say, in a later release:
“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.”
Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer
At the time of this writing, WestJet has cancelled over 150 flights for Saturday June 29th and more than 20,000 passengers have been affected. For passengers flying over the next few days, WestJet recommends checking the status of your flight.
Summary
WestJet has been forced to cancel more than 150 flights affecting over 20,000 passengers because of a strike by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). According to the airline, the negotiations have already been sent for binding arbitration and the strike is “pure retaliation by a disappointed union.”