Flight cancellations grow as WestJet mechanics hit picket lines
WestJet has cancelled more than 200 flights after the union representing its plane mechanics announced late Friday that members had hit the picket lines.The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) announced its members started to strike around 5:30 p.m. MDT Friday because the airline’s “unwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.”The move came after the federal government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration Thursday.
The order also followed two weeks of turbulent discussions with the union on a new deal.Speaking to reporters in Calgary on Saturday, WestJet president Diederik Pen said the strike is having a significant impact on Canadians, forcing them to miss weddings, holidays and family reunions.He noted that 235 flights have already been cancelled as of Saturday morning, impacting around 33,000 guests. If there is no solution Saturday, the airline will likely need to cancel another 150 flights.The Canada Day long weekend typically sees around 70,000 guests fly on WestJet flights.
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