Fire up the barbeque, and put your cell phone on mute; clients won’t be texting like mad to get rebooked due to a WestJet strike this long weekend.
A 28JUN strike by WestJet mechanics was averted after Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan took the unprecedented step of directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose binding arbitration in resolving the increasingly hostile issues between the airline and the mechanics union.
O'Regan said in a statement that he is "using his authorities under the Canada Labour Code" to resolve the outstanding terms of the collective agreement.
"The parties still remain far apart today, and tensions have only increased since last Tuesday," the statement reads. "It is my firm belief that a strong collective bargaining relationship can be built."
Published reports say CIRB could opt not to suspend the right to a work stoppage as it hammers out a contract, but that precedent suggests such an outcome is unlikely.
With a potential strike looming on the eve of the Canada Day weekend, WestJet ordered 25 flights cancelled for 27JUN and 28JUN, cancellations that affected 3,300 pax.
“WestJet and AMFA will enter final binding arbitration to resolve the outstanding terms of the collective agreement,” WS said in a statement after the government’s announcement. “The airline acknowledges the Minister's direction to secure industrial peace, and AMFA has confirmed they will abide by the direction.
“Given this, a strike or lockout will not occur, and the airline will no longer proceed in cancelling flights.”
Open Jaw asked WS media relations if that meant 28JUN flights that were cancelled would be reinstated.
“Proactive flight cancellations issued Wednesday evening on June 26, 2024 will not be reinstated. However, all guests impacted have been reaccommodated on an alternative flight option,” officials said. “We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of those guests who were impacted by the initial cancellations.”
"With the government's actions, the summer travel plans of Canadians have been protected and we have a path to resolution," said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. "We recognize the significant impact the initial cancellations continue to have on our guests and our people, and we sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding as we resume operations."
“WestJet is ramping up its operations as quickly and efficiently as possible, while ensuring the highest degree of safety. Guests are encouraged to continue checking the status of their flights before departing for the airport,” officials said.
The airline said a strike would have affected some 250,000 pax on the weekend and would’ve cost the company millions of dollars. A walkout by mechanics would’ve been “catastrophic,” it said.
McGill University aviation expert John Gradek told the Toronto Star a mechanics’ strike would have grounded 90% of WS flights.
WestJet last week cancelled some 40 flights, affecting roughly 6,500 pax, when the airline mechanics union had a strike deadline set for 20JUN. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) rescinded the strike notice after both sides agreed to return to the bargaining table.
Talks began again this week, but ended quickly. The mechanics union on 26JUN set another strike notice for the evening of 28JUN, the start of the Canada Day weekend and a week before the opening of the Calgary Stampede.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) petitioned strongly against WestJet management’s request for binding arbitration, but the government obviously felt it had to avoid what WestJet had described as a “catastrophic” strike.
The union said there was no modern precedent for the move, but that it would comply with the order and direct its members to refrain from any unlawful job action.
In a statement posted on the AMFA website, the union said CIRB on 19JUN had rejected WestJet’s previous application for a strike injunction, saying it didn’t have the authority to interfere with bargaining or to abridge workers rights.
The two sides have engaged in a bitter war of words over the past few days, making a settlement seem highly unlikely.
WestJet CEO Alexis Von Hoensbroech has said the airline was offering an industry-leading, 22% wage increase over four years.
"All other unions would immediately shake hands over a deal like this," he said.
“This is a U.S. union that has only been active in the U.S.,” von Hoensbroech said at a press event at YYC on 26JUN. “They lost the majority of their membership in the U.S. because of their unreasonable behaviour. So, now they’re trying to push into Canada and get access to Canadian airlines. They’re now taking Canadian hostages to make their marketing platform to become a union in Canada. I’m not sure we want that.”
