TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s second-largest airline, WestJet, says it has cancelled at least 150 flights since Saturday, affecting 20,000 passengers, after the maintenance workers’ union announced a strike.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said its members began striking on Friday evening because the airline’s “unwillingness to negotiate with the union” made it inevitable.
The strike came after the federal government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration on Thursday. That followed two weeks of turbulent talks with the union over a new deal.
On Thursday, WestJet said the union “confirmed that they will adhere to the directive. Given this fact, there will be no strike or lockout and the airline will no longer cancel flights.”
The surprise strike, affecting international and domestic flights, comes over the Canada Day long weekend.
Calgary, Alberta-based WestJet said it was “extremely outraged” and will hold the union 100% responsible for the unnecessary stress and costs.
In an update on its composition, the union’s negotiating committee pointed to a Canada Industrial Relations Board order that does not explicitly prohibit strikes or lockouts when the tribunal undertakes arbitration.
