WestJet has been forced to cancel more flights over the Canada Day long weekend as a nationwide mechanic strike continues. The cancellations affected more than 55,000 passengers across the country, as well as international flights, in addition to 150 canceled flights on Friday and 25 canceled on Thursday.

The cause of these disruptions is the lack of agreement between WestJet and the union representing about 670 mechanics, aircraft maintenance engineers and other technical employees of the company over wages and working conditions. Negotiations between the two sides have not yet reached a conclusion and the union started a nationwide strike last Friday night, June 28.

Angered by the union's action, WestJet holds them fully responsible for the disruption and additional costs caused by the strike. In a statement, the company said: "We are very saddened by this situation and deeply regret that this is causing disruption to passengers' travel plans. "We are doing our best to contact affected passengers and offer them alternative options."

Canadian Labor Minister Seamus Oregon has referred the union to binding arbitration in an attempt to resolve the dispute. However, it is still unclear how long this process will take and what the outcome will be.

WestJet passengers can visit the company's website or their call center for more information about canceled flights and alternative options.

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