Thursday, June 27, 2024 WestJet has initiated flight cancellations in response to an impending strike by its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Technical Operations staff starting Friday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. MT.
This proactive measure ensures safe aircraft parking, facilitates clear communication, and prevents inconvenience for WestJet’s passengers and crew. The airline had recently offered the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) a leading Canadian industry agreement, which improved upon a previously rejected tentative deal. Despite entering a mutually agreed four-day bargaining period, the union issued a strike notice within hours, potentially disrupting travel plans for over 250,000 guests scheduled for the July long weekend, and seemingly aiming to pressure for an unreasonable contract.
“As we quickly approach the July long weekend, it is especially devastating that the strike notice we have received from AMFA forces us to begin cancelling flights and parking aircraft, for the second time in just over a week. As we are forced to make this painful decision, every one of us at WestJet feels the immense weight of the impact this will have on each of our guests and the communities we serve, counting on us to fulfill their travel plans this weekend,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. Over the next 48 hours, the WestJet Group will systematically park aircraft in a safe and phased manner, leading to the followin.
