Canada’s second-largest airline, WestJet, has reached an agreement with its mechanics, ending a strike that disrupted travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers over the Canada Day long weekend. Despite the deal, the airline warned of continued flight disruptions in the coming week as it works to bring planes back into service. The Airplane Mechanics Fraternal Association has urged its 680 members to return to work immediately pending a vote on the temporary agreement.
The strike began on Friday evening when mechanics walked off the job despite a directive for binding arbitration from the labor minister. Since then, WestJet canceled 829 flights, significantly affecting travel during one of Canada’s busiest weekends. On Sunday, the airline reduced its operational fleet to 32 planes, leading the global list for cancellations among major airlines. Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines, stated that while the resolution is not a victory, it prevents further harm to both Canadians and the airline.
Details of the agreement were not disclosed, but the union had previously stated that its wage demands would cost WestJet less than $8 million Canadian beyond the company’s initial offer for the first year. WestJet had proposed a 12.5% wage increase in the first year and a compounded 23.5% increase over the 5 1/2-year term. Both parties have agreed to arbitrate the contract if the temporary agreement is not ratified.
