WestJet issues lockout notice to mechanics' union

Calgary-based WestJet Airlines has given layoff notices to its mechanics The Calgary-based airline and Union has been up for a new contract since September.

CBC News' Jim Brown reports that WestJet CEO Derick Penn says the work stoppage could begin as early as noon Tuesday. (Daniel Thomas/CBC) Sunday, May 5, 2024

WestJet has given a 72-hour strike notice to the union that represents Iran's mechanics in Calgary. The announcement paves the way for the work stoppage to begin on Tuesday. Last week, the Amfraternity of Aircraft Mechanics (AMFA), which represents the company's aircraft maintenance engineers, announced that its members would begin voting to strike on May 2. This voting will continue until May 9. WestJet and AMFA are currently on a new contract from September 2023. In an email to employees Saturday morning, WestJet President and Chief Operating Officer Dederick Penn said the work stoppage could begin as early as noon Tuesday. "We did not take this action without due diligence," the email said.

AMFA last week routinely issued strike ballot alerts and repeatedly actively encouraged people to fly with other airlines. In the event of an unavoidable stoppage, Penn said, WestJet has the following measures in place: Be on schedule. Proactively manage changes and cancellations and communicate with passengers about their flights in advance. For citizens who can be replaced, implement options to change and cancel admission. Penn also advised WestJet to refrain from travel for employees. "Write this letter," Penn wrote to the staff. Will Abbott, AMFA regional director and chairman of the union's WestJet-AMFA Arbitration Committee, said the shutdown announcement was "not unexpected."

He said: "We feel that this point is unfortunate, but we still do it in good faith. No problem is solved until we reach the finish line. "What needs to be done is a collective bargaining agreement that both parties can live with." Remaining issues are benefits and pay Abbott says the biggest unresolved issues are what he calls "quality of life issues," including benefits and pay. "We also need to make sure there's language to protect the jobs they do," he said. "You can have all the money in the world, but if you don't have the language to protect your job, you don't make any money." In a statement posted on the company's website Saturday, Penn defended the company's latest offer to the union.

WestJet Encore pilots announce initial settlement in labor dispute with regional carrier St John's to London WestJet - sparking fury at low-cost airline domestically NL The West Group said in a statement. Jet has submitted a proposal to AMFA that would make WestJet's aircraft maintenance engineers the highest paid in Canada, with cumulative wage increases of more than 20 per cent over the term of the collective agreement. The proposal also provides industry-leading standards for work-life and strong work for job security."

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