CALGARY,
AB, June 19, 2024 /CNW/ - As the WestJet Group
prepares for labour action by WestJet Aircraft Maintenance
Engineers and other Tech Ops employees, the airline has started
cancelling and consolidating flights, in order to park aircraft in
a safe and organized manner. This action enables proactive
communication with guests and crew to minimize the potential for
being stranded and ensures the airline can avoid abandoning
aircraft in remote locations.
The decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group awaits
a response on behalf of the Canadian Industrial Relations Board
(CIRB) to intervene under the Canada Labour Code. If
accepted, this action would refer both WestJet and AMFA to
arbitration for a first collective agreement and prevent labour
action by either party.
"We are immensely disheartened that we are in a position where
we must activate our contingency plan and begin parking aircraft,
as a result of the strike notice served by AMFA. We deeply regret
the disruption this will have on the travel plans of our guests,
communities and businesses that rely on our critical air service,"
said Diederik Pen, President of
WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. "Following the
memberships' nearly unanimous decision to reject a generous
tentative agreement that would have made our Aircraft Maintenance
Engineers the highest paid in the country, with a take-home pay
increase of 30 to 40 per cent in the first year of the proposed
agreement, it is clear that the bargaining process has broken
down."
In the coming 48-hours the WestJet Group will work to park
aircraft, in a measured, phased and safe approach, resulting in the
following cancellations.
Total cancellation summary
Tuesday, June 18 – Wednesday, June 19:
Guest impact*
*WestJet is making every effort to reaccommodate all impacted
guests
"We will continue to manage our operations to the highest degree
of safety and will never compromise in this area," concluded
Pen.
Guests travelling are advised to check the status of their
flight prior to leaving for the airport. Please visit WestJet's
Guest Updates page for more information regarding flight status,
travel changes and more.
About WestJet
In 28 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has
cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in
Canada to more than 50 per
cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft,
250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more
than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations
in 26 countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit
westjet.com.
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership