WestJet Group has reached a tentative agreement with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, potentially averting a strike. The agreement, if ratified, would be the first approved collective bargaining agreement between WestJet and AMFA. WestJet stated that the agreement is industry-leading in Canada, making the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers the highest paid in the country. The agreement also includes strong commitments to job security and industry-leading work-life balance standards. The president of WestJet Airlines, Diederik Pen, expressed his satisfaction with the tentative agreement and highlighted the contributions of the maintenance engineers to maintaining a culture of safety at WestJet.
After nine months of negotiations, both WestJet Group and the AMFA are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement. The union has expressed pride in the agreement, stating that it will now be presented to the hard-working Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Technical Operations employees for ratification. The issues of wages, outsourcing, scheduling, and layoff protection were significant topics of discussion during negotiations. WestJet had previously issued a 72-hour lockout notice to the union in response to AMFA announcing a strike vote. The agreement reached between the two parties is seen as a positive step towards resolving the issues that were causing tension between the airline and the union.
The tentative agreement between WestJet Group and the AMFA signifies a significant milestone in their relationship as it would mark the first approved collective bargaining agreement. The union represents approximately 670 aircraft maintenance engineers and skilled trade groups within WestJet. Both sides have worked diligently to address the concerns and priorities of the maintenance engineers, ensuring that their contributions are acknowledged and valued within the agreement. The agreement also sets a standard for industry-leading practices in terms of compensation, work-life balance, and job security for the maintenance engineers.
The negotiations between WestJet and the AMFA have been ongoing for months, with both parties striving to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that addresses the key issues at hand. The agreement reached reflects a commitment to ensuring fair wages, job security, and a positive work environment for the maintenance engineers within the airline. The tentative agreement will now undergo a ratification process to be approved by the affected employees, further solidifying the commitment of both WestJet Group and the AMFA to work together towards a shared goal of maintaining a culture of safety and excellence at the airline.
Overall, the tentative agreement between WestJet Group and the AMFA represents a significant step forward in their relationship and demonstrates a commitment to addressing the concerns of the maintenance engineers and other Technical Operations employees. The agreement includes industry-leading standards for compensation, work-life balance, and job security, setting a positive precedent for future negotiations between the airline and the union. Both parties have expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached and have highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of the maintenance engineers to the safety and efficiency of WestJet operations. The ratification process will now allow the affected employees to have a say in approving the agreement, ensuring that their voices are heard and their interests are represented.
