The union representing mechanics at Canadian airline WestJet has withdrawn its notice to strike after the airline agreed to return to the bargaining table. This decision comes after the strike threat led WestJet to cancel about 50 flights in order to prevent travelers and planes from being stranded. The union, representing about 680 WestJet mechanics, had previously voted overwhelmingly to reject the company’s last contract offer. Despite this, the strike-authorization vote remains in effect until July 9, giving the union the option to strike if necessary.
The union, known as the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), had given WestJet 72 hours’ notice on Monday night that a strike would take place. However, Canada’s industrial relations board declined to stop the union from striking, prompting WestJet to agree to return to the bargaining table in an effort to find a resolution. WestJet’s president, Diederik Pen, expressed the airline’s commitment to reaching an agreement in order to avoid further disruptions to operations. The cancellations of flights by WestJet had already affected about 6,500 passengers, with several flights being canceled throughout the week.
The situation escalated further when WestJet asked the Canadian government to intervene and order both sides into binding arbitration. Despite this request, the industrial relations board did not step in to prevent the strike, leading WestJet to make the decision to resume negotiations with the union. The ongoing dispute between WestJet and its mechanics has caused tension and uncertainty for both the airline and its passengers, with the potential for a strike still looming until July 9. The hope is that the two parties will be able to come to an agreement that satisfies the union members and prevents any further disruptions to WestJet’s operations.
Both sides are now back at the bargaining table, with the goal of reaching a resolution that will address the concerns of the union’s members and prevent any future strikes. The impact of the strike threat on WestJet’s operations has already been felt, with numerous flight cancellations affecting thousands of passengers. It remains to be seen how the negotiations will progress and whether a new contract agreement can be reached before the strike-authorization vote expires on July 9. In the meantime, both the union and WestJet will continue to work towards finding a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved, in order to avoid any further disruptions to the airline’s services.
