Thousands of WestJet customers are scrambling after the airline canceled more than 30 flights ahead of a potential mechanics strike scheduled for Thursday.
On Wednesday afternoon, WestJet announced that about 6,500 travelers were booked on the canceled flights for Wednesday and Thursday. The airline stated that the cancellations aim to minimize the risk of stranded passengers and to prevent aircraft from being abandoned in remote locations.
Approximately 670 WestJet mechanics, represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, are set to strike as early as Thursday evening following a strike notice issued earlier this week after months of negotiations.
WestJet, based in Calgary, has requested intervention from the Canada Industrial Relations Board, seeking binding arbitration to establish the first collective agreement between the two parties. This move could also prevent a work stoppage, which WestJet hopes will alleviate the mounting cancellations.
Union members overwhelmingly rejected a tentative deal last week and opposed the airline's arbitration request this week.
Gabor Lukacs, president of the Air Passenger Rights advocacy group, stated that passenger protection regulations entitle customers to a full refund for the canceled flights. If the strike proceeds and WestJet cannot rebook passengers within 48 hours of the original departure time, the airline must purchase seats on competitor airlines at its expense.
For cancellations made before the potential strike, Lukacs argued that WestJet must rebook customers on competitors' flights if they cannot accommodate them on WestJet planes within nine hours of the scheduled departure. The airline would also be responsible for meals, accommodations, and additional compensation ranging from $400 to $1,000, depending on the delay duration.
"If I were an affected passenger, I would give WestJet one chance to rebook me on a competitor. I would record the call/interaction. If ignored or refused, I would buy a ticket on a competitor and then make WestJet pay for all the expenses plus the standard compensation," Lukacs advised.
WestJet stated on Wednesday that it would make "every effort to re-accommodate disrupted guests."
WATCH | Nearly 700 WestJet workers could walk off the job:
WestJet cancels dozens of flights as potential strike looms.
In response to a potential strike from its mechanics, WestJet has canceled dozens of flights. The airline said the move reduces the potential for stranded passengers and ensures the carrier can avoid abandoning aircraft in far-flung locations.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the 31 cancellations included 18 flights on Wednesday and 13 on Thursday, affecting cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Regina, and Grande Prairie, Alta.
Busy domestic routes like Toronto-Calgary and popular leisure flights including Vancouver-Las Vegas were impacted. However, more cancellations are likely if the labor tribunal does not intervene before the strike, which could start as early as 7 p.m. MST on Thursday.
The industrial relations board stated it would address the issues "as expeditiously as possible."
A meeting between the parties was scheduled for Wednesday, and the board will then determine the next steps, said spokesman Jean-Daniel Tardif in an email.
WestJet president Diederik Pen expressed disappointment over the situation. "We are immensely disheartened to cancel trips and start parking planes after receiving the 72-hour strike notice. We know the situation is creating stress and uncertainty for anyone with upcoming travel plans. To our guests, the communities, and businesses that rely on our service, we're truly sorry," he said in a videotaped statement on Wednesday.
Pen claimed that the rejected contract included provisions to boost take-home pay by 30 to 40 percent in the first year, which would have made WestJet's mechanics the highest-paid in the country.
The union stated its opposition to WestJet's arbitration request, arguing that it could undermine the aircraft maintenance engineers' (AMEs) efforts for better contract terms. The negotiating committee claimed that arbitrators generally adhere to industry norms, which have historically limited AMEs' gains.
Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan mentioned that federal mediators continue to work with both parties. "Mediators are at it. So things are proceeding, and we're supporting them at the table where the best deals are made," he told reporters on Tuesday.
With files from Mia Rabson/The Canadian Press.
Post a Comment