WestJet passengers should get ready to experience some disruptions as the airline has received its second strike notice from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).
The airline received the second strike notification on Tuesday and AMFA employees could go on strike as early as Friday, June 28th at 5:30 p.m. MT. 70,000 passengers are expected to travel for each day of the upcoming long weekend.
Last week, WestJet announced cancellations in advance of the first strike notice but the two groups were able to return to the bargaining table with a minor impact on operations.
According to the press release from WestJet, they “presented a revised industry leading offer, which would see WestJet AME’s receive a 22 per cent increase over four years, making them by far the best paid AMEs in Canada. The union’s ask exceeds this mark by a long shot and remains unreasonable.”
Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer, had this to say about the most recent strike notice:
“WestJet presented the union with its latest Canadian industry-leading offer. It was swiftly dismissed, and a strike notification issued, leaving us with no choice but to follow with a lockout notice to manage travel disruption to hundreds of thousands of guests. It is our obligation in the coming days to ensure the safe and orderly takedown of our network and to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, our crew and our aircraft.”
Diederik Pen, WestJet President and Chief Operating Officer
WestJet Initiates Flight Cancellations in Preparation for Strike
Once again, the airline is cancelling flights and parking aircraft in anticipation of strikes. In the next 48-hours the WestJet Group will work to park aircraft, in a measured, phased and safe approach, according to a secondary press release.
Over the next two days the airline anticipates cancelling approximately 25 flights affecting 3,300 passengers.
WestJet travellers have been advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport.
Summary
WestJet is making preparations after receiving its second strike notice in as many weeks from the AMFA. The airline is currently parking aircraft in advance of upcoming strike action and has cancelled over two-dozen flights at the time of this writing.
