WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech and President Diederik Pen held a press conference at the airline’s headquarters in Calgary to address the sudden and “absurd” strike initiated by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). The strike, which began at 5:30 p.m. (MT) on Friday, is a response to WestJet’s alleged unwillingness to negotiate with the union, resulting in at least 235 flight cancellations impacting roughly 33,000 customers on Saturday morning.
Von Hoensbroech and Pen expressed concern that the situation could escalate further if a resolution is not reached by the “early afternoon,” potentially leading to an additional 150 flight cancellations. This comes after the Canadian government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration on Thursday, following unproductive discussions between the airline and the union over a new deal.
In response to the strike, Travel Minister Seamus O’Regan Jr. stated that he would be taking additional steps to protect the interests of the employer, the union, and all Canadians travelling over the national holiday weekend. Von Hoensbroech emphasized the importance of industrial peace and resolving the situation through arbitration, highlighting the challenges faced by WestJet’s passengers as a result of the strike.
The escalating conflict between WestJet and its mechanics’ union has raised concerns about the impact on travelers during a busy holiday weekend. The airline is working to minimize disruptions and find a resolution to the strike in order to restore normal operations and ensure the well-being of its passengers. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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Video “WestJet CEO, president condemn “absurd” mechanics’ union strike, address flight cancellations | FULL” was uploaded on 06/29/2024 to Youtube Channel Global News