CALGARY,
AB, June 28, 2024 /CNW/ - WestJet responds to
the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) notice that it
has commenced strike action as of today, June 28,
2024 at 7:30 pm ET.
"The government has officially stepped in to provide binding
arbitration and ensure we get to a resolution; the only reason for
this union to continue with a strike action is to create damage,
disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Canadians over the July
long weekend and to inflict significant costs on our business,"
said Diederik Pen, President of
WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer. "Given
arbitration has been ordered, a strike has no leverage on the
arbitration's outcome, so it is pure retaliation of a disappointed
union. We are extremely outraged at these actions and will hold
AMFA 100 per cent accountable for the unnecessary
stress and costs incurred as a result."
The airline is actively and aggressively pursuing every avenue
to minimize disruption, including asking for immediate intervention
by the Minister of Labour and the Canada Industrial Relations Board
(CIRB). Severe travel disruption is to be expected if the strike is
not called off immediately, as the network takedown can no longer
happen in the orderly manner that WestJet had originally
planned.
Guests travelling are advised to check the status of their
flight prior to leaving for the airport. Please visit
WestJet's Guest Updates page for more information regarding
flight status, travel changes and more.
About WestJet
In 28 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in
half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet
launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five
destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft,
14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26
countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit
westjet.com.
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership