Canada steps in to prevent WestJet engineers strike ahead of holiday weekend (updated)

Onex

27/06/2024 22:10

(Recasts story with statement from federal labor minister
paragraphs 1-3, reaction from union paragraph 4, background
paragraphs 5-6)
       OTTAWA, June 27 (Reuters) - Canada's federal government
intervened on Thursday to prevent a strike by maintenance
engineers at WestJet Airlines, the country's second-largest
carrier, to avoid more flight cancellations ahead of a busy
holiday weekend.
    Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan said he had ordered the
country's industrial relations board to impose final binding
arbitration in the dispute between the airline and the Aircraft
Mechanics Fraternal Association.
    "The parties still remain far apart today, and tensions have
only increased," he said in a statement.
    The union said there was no modern precedent for the move,
adding it would comply with the order and direct its members to
refrain from any unlawful job action.
    WestJet said on Wednesday it had begun canceling flights
ahead of the strike, which could have started on Friday. Monday
is Canada Day, one of the country's most important holidays.
    WestJet, which is backed by Onex Corp  ONEX.TO  and competes
with Air Canada  AC.TO , has been facing demands from employees
for better working conditions and higher salaries.

 (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Jamie Freed)
 ((david.ljunggren@tr.com; +1 647 480 7891;))