A strike by WestJet maintenance engineers appears to have been averted for now.
The Aircraft Mechanics and Fraternal Association (AMFA) and WestJet are heading back to the negotiating table, and the union is asking its members not to participate in any job action.
According to the union, WestJet’s application to stop a strike was declined by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).
The employer was asking for arbitration, but, according to WestJet, CIRB said more "time and submissions" were needed first.
After the CIRB decision, WestJet agreed to set bargaining dates and the union revoked its strike mandate, AMFA said in a media statement.
The AMFA was set to walk off the job Thursday, and about 40 flights were cancelled or consolidated by the airline in anticipation of the strike, impacting about 6,500 travellers.
WestJet said it's working to resume "normal operations as quickly and efficiently as possible." Travellers are asked to check the status of their flights before going to the airport.
“We recognize the impact the initial cancellations had on our guests and our people, and we sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding during this time,” said WestJet president Diederik Pen. “In returning to the bargaining table, we are committed to finding a resolution to avoid further disruption to our operations.”
A tentative agreement between the maintenance engineers and WestJet was rejected by a 97.25 per cent "no vote" on June 11.
- with files from Valerie Leung
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