A potential strike by WestJet airplane mechanics would upend travel plans for 250,000 customers over the Canada Day long weekend, the airline says — and cost it millions of dollars.
The Calgary-based carrier has already begun to cancel flights, calling off roughly 25 trips on Thursday and Friday in anticipation of possible job action by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association , which has threatened to hit the picket lines as early as 5:30 p.m. MDT on Friday.
The mechanics union, which represents about 680 workers — the majority are aircraft maintenance engineers who inspect each active plane daily — has claimed WestJet is resorting to "brinksmanship" and "false accusations." It said Wednesday the airline had asked the government to quash its strike notice without notifying its negotiators.
He called the decision to trigger flight cancellations a "painful" one, noting the fallout for customers. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has said it needs more time and submissions from each party before deciding whether to create a collective agreement via binding arbitration, as proposed by WestJet last week.
"There's been some comfortable moments and some pretty intense moments," said Ian Evershed, a union representative involved in the talks, in a phone interview. “We just aren’t seeing any progress. “We’re looking for higher than that for sure,” he said, pointing to counterparts in the United States who he said earn more than 1.5 times the current pay level.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada's WestJet to cancel flights again after second strike noticeWestJet said this action would lead to an estimated 25 flight cancellations from June 27-28 and impact over 3,300 travellers. WestJet, which is backed by...
Read more »
Canada's WestJet to start canceling flights as holiday weekend strike loomsWestJet Airlines Ltd., Canada’s second-largest carrier, will begin canceling flights on Thursday — just ahead of a long holiday weekend — as it prepares for a strike.
Read more »
Canada's WestJet Airlines says union rescinds strike noticeWestJet, which is backed by Onex Corp and competes with Air Canada, has been facing demands from employees for improved working conditions and higher...
Read more »
In the news today: Extreme heat bakes Eastern Canada, WestJet strike off the tableHere is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed... Heat wave still grips Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes A heat wave that's washed over eastern Canada is sticking around for a little while still.
Read more »
In the news today: Extreme heat bakes Eastern Canada, WestJet strike off the tableHere is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed... Heat wave still grips Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes A heat wave that's washed over eastern Canada is sticking around for a little while still.
Read more »
In the news today: Extreme heat bakes Eastern Canada, WestJet strike off the tableHere is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed... Heat wave still grips Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes A heat wave that's washed over eastern Canada is sticking around for a little while still.
Read more »