A strike by mechanics for the airline WestJet began at 5:30 pm Mountain Time on June 28th. The federal government intervened on the previous day, the 27th, and it seemed as though the strike had been averted, but the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association suddenly picketed, saying that “WestJet has no intention of negotiating, so a strike is inevitable.”
WestJet President Diedrick Penn criticized the union for striking during the Canada Day holiday, saying, “The strike has a serious impact on our customers, who can’t attend weddings, can’t travel, can’t see their families.”
According to the president, 235 flights had been canceled by the morning of the 29th, affecting 33,000 passengers. If the problem is not resolved by the 29th, an additional 150 flights will be canceled. 70,000 people usually use WestJet during the Canada Day holiday. According to WestJet CEO Alexis von Hohenbroech, Minister of Labor Seamus O’Regan ordered arbitration at the Canada Industrial Relations Board, meaning that the contract will be decided by arbitrators and negotiations between the company and the union will be terminated.
“A strike is something you do to put pressure on the other side of negotiations. It makes no sense to go on strike when there are no more negotiations,” he said angrily. WestJet said in a statement on the 28th that AMFA had confirmed it would follow the minister’s instructions. WestJet urges passengers to check their flights.