The union representing WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers has reported that its members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative agreement with the airline.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, representing approximately 670 aircraft maintenance engineers and other skilled trade positions at the carrier, announced 97% of its members voted against the deal.
CTV reports, "The union has identified wages, outsourcing, scheduling, and layoff protection as key issues in the bargaining process."
WestJet Airlines president Diederik Pen called the result "deeply concerning” despite operations not being affected.
"The failed ratification of the tentative agreement by our Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Tech ops employees under the bargaining unit is deeply concerning after what was a lengthy and challenging negotiation process with the union," said Pen.
The two sides reached a tentative deal on 06MAY, two days after WestJet issued a 72-hour lockout notice to mechanics following their announcement of a strike vote.
In its lockout statement, the WestJet group said it “has been in active labour negotiations with AMFA since September 2023. The WestJet Group has presented an offer to AMFA that would make WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers the highest paid in Canada, with a cumulative wage increase of over 20% across the span of the collective agreement.”
"The tentative agreement was fair, offered substantial improvements and would have made them the best paid Aircraft Maintenance Engineers in the country. It was also reflective of our commitment to addressing their priorities, while balancing what is financially sustainable for our business," Pen said in a statement.
"We are committed to meeting with AMFA to determine next steps, although it is important to realize that the financial scope of the first tentative agreement must remain intact. Our goal remains to find a viable and reasonable path forward."
