WestJet says it has cancelled at least 150 flights across the country Saturday after mechanics walked off the job and began strike action Friday evening despite being sent to arbitration with the airline the day before.
The 7:30 p.m. strike action by 670 mechanics, with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, comes a day after federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan sent Canada’s second-largest airline and its mechanics into binding arbitration to resolve their dispute.
The Calgary-based airline said the initial set of cancellations will affect approximately 20,000 guests “with limited reaccommodation options available.” It also warned that more cancellations are likely if the strike continues, adding that it’s expecting to have more than 250,000 passengers fly over Canada Day long weekend.
“The union remains engaged in dialogue with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) and the airline to resolve this impasse,” the union said in a release, adding the mechanics “were hopeful this action would be unnecessary but the airline’s unwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.
WestJet responded to the mechanics strike action and said it is “outraged” by the decision.
“The government has officially stepped in to provide binding arbitration and ensure we get to a resolution; the only reason for this union to continue with a strike action is to create damage, disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Canadians over the July long weekend and to inflict significant costs on our business,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and group chief operating officer.
“Given arbitration has been ordered, a strike has no leverage on the arbitration’s outcome, so it is pure retaliation of a disappointed union. We are extremely outraged at these actions and will hold AMFA 100 per cent accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred as a result,” he added.
WestJet says it will “actively and aggressively” seek all possible ways to minimize disruption the strike may cause including requesting “immediate intervention” by the minister of labour and the CIRB.
The strike decision comes as travellers head into a busy Canada Day long weekend.
Those who have booked with WestJet and have travel plans with the airline are advised to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport, the airline said in a news release.
Toronto Pearson airport, in a post on X, said it is aware of the strike action taken by WestJet mechanics on Friday, adding that passengers will be updated “as any operational effects become clear.”
With files from Ghada Alsharif
