Calgary·Breaking
WestJet says the strike that affected thousands of travellers during the long weekend is now over after an agreement with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association was made late on Sunday.
News comes after roughly 100,000 passengers affected over the busy Canada Day long weekend
A surprise strike by WestJet mechanics left tens of thousands of passengers scrambling to find alternative travel arrangements over the long weekend. The situation has put added pressure on the federal government to step in, with two premiers urging Ottawa on Sunday to end the work stoppage.
WestJet says the strike that affected thousands of travellers during the long weekend is now over after an agreement with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) was made late on Sunday.
“The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift resolution was necessary. We take no victory laps on this outcome but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been prevented,” said WestJet president Diederik Pen in a statement. “We will see no further labour action coming out of this dispute, as both parties agree to arbitrate the contract in the case of a failed ratification.”
The union said the deal provided substantial improvements over both their current terms of employment and the terms outlined in the first tentative agreement that was rejected by its roughly 680 members.
“Your presence in bargaining sessions and on picket lines had a meaningful impact on the end result of this journey,” the AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee wrote to its members in a statement obtained by CBC News.
More to come.
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