Feds impose arbitration to avert WestJet mechanics strike
WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association both said they will abide by the order.
July 1, 2024 | By MRO Staff
A possible long-weekend strike at WestJet has been averted, with the federal government directing the airline and plane mechanics into binding arbitration.
The order prevents a work stoppage that threatened to disrupt flights for hundreds of thousands of travellers over the Canada Day long weekend.
As reported by The Canadian Press and other news agencies, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said via social media post that he was invoking his authority under the Canada Labour Code to end the impasse between the two sides.
“Strong first agreements set unions and employers on the path of collective bargaining,” O’Regan said in a statement. “They set a strong foundation to build upon at the bargaining table and bring the parties one step closer to a strong second agreement and an even stronger third agreement — reached at the bargaining table. That’s what we want to see here.”
WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association both said they will abide by the order, with strikes and lockouts off the table.
Union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative deal earlier this month and fought WestJet’s request for intervention by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. In response to that request, the mechanics association served the company with an initial 72-hour strike notice on June 17, prompting WestJet to cancel nearly 50 flights last week before both sides agreed to resume negotiations.
The Calgary-based carrier had already begun to cancel flights this week, calling off roughly 25 trips on June 27 and June 28 in anticipation of possible job action as early as 5:30 p.m. on June 28. Affecting some 3,300 customers, WestJet’s decision to start concentrating its 180-plane fleet sought to avoid leaving aircraft in far-flung locations and stranding passengers and crew in the event of a work stoppage.
