Nearly 20,000 Passengers Affected by WestJet's Flight Cancellations Amid Mechanics' Strike

WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, faced a major disruption on Saturday. At least 150 flights were canceled, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers. This chaos resulted from a strike by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, which includes the airline's maintenance workers. The strike occurred despite a ministerial order for binding arbitration issued by the federal government on Thursday.

Strike's Unavoidable Nature

The union claims the strike was unavoidable. According to them, WestJet's "unwillingness to negotiate with the union" left no other option. The situation developed after two weeks of intense discussions between the airline and the union, aimed at reaching a new agreement. The unexpected strike coincided with the Canada Day long weekend, causing widespread disruption to both international and domestic flights.

Government Intervention

A ministerial order for binding arbitration was issued on Thursday. This move came after prolonged discussions between the airline and the union. The union confirmed that they would comply with the direction, which meant a strike or lockout should not have occurred, and flight cancellations were not expected.

WestJet's Response

WestJet expressed frustration over the strike's timing, holding the union fully accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred. The airline stated that the strike was unexpected and disrupted many passengers' travel plans during a busy holiday weekend.

Union's Stand

The union's negotiating committee, however, pointed to an order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. According to them, this order did not explicitly prohibit strikes or lockouts while the tribunal proceeded with arbitration. This interpretation led to the strike despite the ministerial order.

Impact on Passengers

The strike's timing could not have been worse for passengers. The Canada Day long weekend is a peak travel period, and the cancellation of 150 flights affected nearly 20,000 passengers. Both international and domestic travelers faced significant inconvenience and unexpected delays.

The situation remains tense between WestJet and the union. The strike has highlighted the need for better communication and negotiation between the parties involved. Passengers, meanwhile, are left dealing with the fallout of this unexpected disruption.