WHY HAS CANADA’S WESTJET CANCELLED 150 FLIGHTS AFFECTING 20,000 PASSENGERS?

Canadian airline Westjet has cancelled at least 150 flights hitting 20,000 passengers in the process, starting today. The cancellations follow the union of maintenance workers called for a strike.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association stated that its members began striking on Friday evening, June 28, due to the airline’s refusal to engage in negotiations with the union, which they deemed unavoidable.

The strike occurred after the federal government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration on Thursday, following two weeks of tumultuous negotiations with the union over a new agreement.

The WestJet union on June 27 confirmed that they will be abiding by the given direction. “Given this, a strike or lockout will not occur, and the airline will no longer proceed in cancelling flights,” it added.

The unexpected strike, impacting both international and domestic flights, is occurring over the Canada Day long weekend.

‘Union responsible for the stress’

 WestJet is holding the union a 100 per cent responsible for the unnecessary stress and costs, adding that it was “extremely outraged”.

In an update to its members, the union negotiating committee mentioned a Canada Industrial Relations Board order that does not explicitly prohibit strikes or lockouts while the tribunal proceeds with arbitration.

(With PTI inputs)

2024-06-29T14:07:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd