Canadian airline WestJet has initiated flight cancellations in anticipation of a potential strike by aircraft maintenance technicians to prevent passengers and planes from being stranded in the event of a walkout. The airline announced plans to cancel approximately 40 flights between Tuesday and Wednesday, affecting around 6,500 passengers. As of Wednesday afternoon Eastern time, WestJet had already canceled 20 flights, which accounts for 4% of its schedule, following the cancellation of five flights on Tuesday, as reported by tracking service FlightAware.
WestJet is actively working to secure alternative arrangements for customers impacted by the flight cancellations. The airline is currently engaged in negotiations with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association regarding an initial collective-bargaining agreement that would cover approximately 680 mechanics.
Earlier this week, WestJet sought intervention from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to mandate both parties into binding arbitration. In response, the union indicated its intention to proceed with a strike as early as Thursday night unless the airline resumes negotiations this week in Calgary.
WestJet's president, Diederik Pen, highlighted that the airline's latest contract proposal would position WestJet maintenance engineers as the highest-paid in Canada, with a projected increase in take-home pay of 30% to 40% within a year.
Conversely, the union contends that WestJet is attempting to enforce a contract that was overwhelmingly rejected by its members with a 97.5% vote. The union also asserts that low wages are hindering WestJet's ability to fill vacant positions within the company.
Established in the 1990s and inspired by the business model of Southwest Airlines in the U.S., WestJet is the second-largest airline in Canada.
