Canada
‘s second-largest airline
WestJet
on Saturday has cancelled at least 150
flights
following a
strike
by Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association which includes the airline’s maintenance workers, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers.
Meanwhile, the union claims that the strike was inevitable due to the airline’s “unwillingness to negotiate with the union”.
Earlier, a ministerial order for binding arbitration was issued by the federal government on Thursday, which came after two weeks of discussions between the airline and the union regarding a new agreement.
“The union confirmed they will abide by the direction. Given this, a strike or lockout will not occur, and the airline will no longer proceed in cancelling flights,” the airline said on Thursday.
The unexpected strike, which coincides with the Canada Day long weekend, is affecting both international and domestic flights.
Meanwhile, WestJet said that it will hold the union fully accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred by the strike.
However, in an update to its members, the union negotiating committee referred to an order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board that does not explicitly prohibit strikes or lockouts while the tribunal proceeds with arbitration.