WestJet Airlines strike to continue until deal reached with mechanics, union says

Onex

30/06/2024 15:35

By Allison Lampert
       MONTREAL, June 30 (Reuters) - A strike by WestJet
Airlines' mechanics that has led to hundreds of cancelled
flights over Canada's long holiday weekend will continue until a
deal is reached, the union's president told Reuters on Sunday. 
    Bret Oestreich, president of the Aircraft Mechanics
Fraternal Association, said the two sides will reconvene with a
mediator on Sunday. The union represents around 680 workers at
WestJet, including aircraft maintenance engineers, who went on
strike Friday after 97% of its members rejected a pay deal
reached in May.  
    "All we want to do is to go back to the table," said
Oestreich. "The strike will be in effect until we get an
agreement."
    He said the two sides are separated by a first-year economic
difference of approximately 7%, or less than $8 million on a
roughly four-year contract. 
    WestJet, which is owned by Onex Corp  ONEX.TO , was not
immediately available for comment on Sunday.
    On Saturday, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech blamed the
union for the disruption, arguing that leaders refused to
negotiate.
     "Their only purpose was to disrupt as many Canadian
travelers as possible," he said.
    Canada's second-largest carrier said late on Saturday that
it has canceled a total of 407 flights affecting over 49,000
passengers. 
    WestJet President Diederik Pen told reporters on Saturday
the carrier was expecting to fly around 70,000 passengers a day
during the long weekend. Pen said the airline can maintain
minimal service with 30-50 aircraft, operating around 150
flights a day.
        The strike has frustrated travelers during Canada's long
July 1 weekend with passengers taking to social media to
complain about cancelled family holidays or being stranded. 
    Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has urged WestJet
and the union to resolve their differences and reach an
agreement.
    Seeking to preemptively avert the strike, O'Regan had asked
the Canada Industrial Relations Board to resolve the contract
dispute through binding arbitration.
    While the board agreed to arbitration, it said O'Regan's
referral "does not have the effect of suspending the right to
strike or lockout."
    Oestreich said the union, which is in a legal position to
strike, wants a negotiated deal instead of an agreement imposed
by an arbitrator. 
    WestJet said it has offered a 12.5% wage increase in the
first year of the agreement and a compounded wage increase of
23% over the term of the agreement.     

 (Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Lisa
Shumaker)
 ((Allison.Lampert@thomsonreuters.com; 514-796-4212; Reuters
Messaging: allison.lampert.reuters.com@reuters.net))