Labour negotiations between WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association remain stalled after the union called a surprise strike last week, forcing more than 400 flight cancellations and delays over the weekend.
The union, which represents nearly 700 aircraft engineers and technicians, went on strike Friday after negotiations over the group’s first collective bargaining agreement with the airline collapsed due to what the union called WestJet’s “refusal to negotiate.”
The strike follows talks between the union and the airline dating back to September 2023, when representatives met for an initial negotiating session. At the meeting, according to a memo From within the association, union representatives raised concerns, including “out-of-grade leave, pay scale irregularities, and work privileges that have been eliminated without notice or reason.” In addition to pay increases, the union is seeking protections for certain positions and improved benefits such as health care.
On Sunday, the union told CNN that “the parties are separated by an economic gap in the first year of about 7%, less than $8 million.”
WestJet has repeatedly condemned the strike, which takes place over a long holiday weekend in Canada. The company says the strike will affect the plans of about 250,000 travelers. WestJet said in a statement Friday that it has requested “immediate intervention from the Minister of Labor and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.”
The airline says it had to cancel more than 410 flights between Thursday and Saturday. FlightAware flight tracker data shows that WestJet had canceled at least 343 flights on Sunday, representing 77% of its fleet. The airline’s regional subsidiary, WestJet Encore, canceled at least 80 flights.
Airports across Canada are also experiencing major service suspensions. At Calgary International Airport, 42% of outbound flights and 40% of inbound flights have been canceled. Toronto Pearson, Vancouver and Edmonton international airports are also affected.
But in an update to members on Sunday, shared with CNN, the union announced that the labor relations council has determined the strike was lawful, while the council continues to mediate negotiations.
“While the mandatory arbitration imposed by the Minister of Labor will be conducted on an expedited basis, the CIRB has ruled that until that process is completed, we are entitled to continue our lawful strike,” the union said.
The labor relations council did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
The union told CNN it made its final offer to the airline on Thursday, and since then WestJet has not responded or given any indication of future bargaining dates.
The union also described a lengthy and unproductive mediation process this weekend.
“At 1 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, June 29, after hours of waiting in a virtual breakout room, the mediators returned to inform us that WestJet executives had decided to ‘call it quits,’” the union said in its update.
Both sides and federal mediators will continue talks on Sunday.
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