UPDATE: Westjet Mechanics End Strike That Grounded 800 Flights
An airport mechanics strike that led to the cancelation of more than 800 WestJet flights ended Sunday night.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association and WestJet reached a deal late Sunday night to end the strike, which began Friday night. The strike disrupted travel on Canada’s second-biggest airline during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year in the country.
“The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift resolution was necessary,” WestJet president Diederik Pen said in a statement. “We take no victory laps on this outcome but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been prevented.”
In May, 97% of the 680 mechanics represented by the AMFA rejected a proposed deal from WestJet. The union announced it would strike beginning Friday.
WestJet thought it averted the action when Canada’s labor minister called for binding arbitration on Thursday. However, the AMFA went ahead with the strike anyway.
The airline was thrown into chaos, canceling an estimated 830 flights from Friday through Monday. Thousands of Canadians expecting to celebrate Canada Day by traveling over the three-day weekend had their plans upended.
“We believe this outcome would not have been possible without the strike, but we do regret the disruption and inconvenience it has caused the traveling public over the Canada Day holiday period,” the AMFA said Sunday in a statement.
With the end of the strike, the AMFA asked workers to return to work immediately, though WestJet said residual problems would result in more cancellations and delays throughout the week.
With News Wire Services
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