WestJet's aircraft maintenance engineers (AME) could go on strike ahead of the Canada Day long weekend, despite initially withdrawing a strike notice.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union representing aircraft maintenance engineers and technical operation employees at WestJet, issued a second 72-hour strike notice on June 25.
If the strike notice is not withdrawn, a strike can take place as early as June 28 at 4:30 a.m. PST
Guests impacted by flight delays or cancellations will be refunded or re-accommodated as applicable, said WestJet.
Travellers who booked directly with WestJet will be informed about changes to existing travel through the email address provided at the time of booking, and those who booked through a travel agent or online booking agency should contact them directly.
The union issued its first strike notice last week, resulting in the cancellation of about 40 WestJet flights between June 18 and 20.
The notice was later withdrawn after a Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) decision declined WestJet's attempt to stop the strike, and the employer subsequently agreed to set bargaining dates.
In a statement issued June 26, AMFA said it submitted a proposal yesterday with terms based on membership surveys and received a counter-proposal from WestJet with "an economic enhancement of less than 1% at the cost of an extended contract term."
WestJet, on the other hand, said in a statement on June 25 that AMFA's ask exceeded industry standards "by a long shot and remains unreasonable."
"WestJet presented a revised industry leading offer, which would see WestJet AME’s receive a 22 per cent increase over five years, making them by far the best paid AMEs in Canada," reads WestJet's statement.
AMFA followed up with a counter-proposal and submitted a 72-hour strike notice. WestJet then issued a 72-hour lockout notice.
Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and chief operating officer, said WestJet had "no choice" but to issue the lockout notice to manage travel disruptions.
"It is our obligation in the coming days to ensure the safe and orderly takedown of our network and to minimize the risk of stranding our guests, our crew and our aircraft,” he said in WestJet's statement.
Updates about flight status and travel changes will be provided on WestJet's Guest Updates page.
Both AMFA and WestJet have confirmed they remain available for negotiations.
"We have agreed to extend negotiations in Toronto through the end of this week and resume in Calgary next week if necessary," reads AMFA's statement.
With files from Valerie Leung and Maria Rantanen.
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