Caption: A Boeing 787-9 belonging to Canadian airline WestJet moves on the tarmac at Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, April 28, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Carlos Osorio)
Fixsnews.co.id- Canada’s second-largest airline, WestJet, said on Sunday (30/6) that it was canceling more than 800 flights as an unexpected strike by aircraft mechanics entered its third day. The cancellation affected tens of thousands of passengers.
About 680 workers who perform daily checks and repairs essential to airline operations walked off the job Friday night, despite a binding arbitration directive from the federal labor minister.
The strike occurred during a long holiday weekend in Canada, which is the country’s busiest travel period. The airline and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association have accused each other of refusing to negotiate in good faith.
WestJet Airlines president Diederik Pen highlighted what he called the union’s “continued reckless actions” in making “blatant efforts” to disrupt Canadians’ travel plans. Instead, the association says the Calgary, Alta.-based company has refused to respond to its latest proposal.
In an update to its members Sunday, the association said the mechanic was “a victim of WestJet’s vicious public relations campaign suggesting you are a violator,” citing the “smearing” of workers about their right to strike.
The strike comes after a majority of union members voted against WestJet’s tentative agreement in mid-June and after two weeks of tense negotiations between the two sides (VOA/03).
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