WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) recently reached a new tentative agreement, effectively ending the strike that caused chaos for thousands of travelers over the Canada Day long weekend. The deal includes significant improvements in terms of employment for the mechanics, with a 15.5% immediate wage increase and subsequent raises over the five-year term. While the exact timeline for returning flight operations to normal remains uncertain, both parties have agreed to arbitrate the contract in case of any future disputes, aiming to prevent further labor actions.
The strike, which led to the cancellation of 832 flights and affected around 100,000 passengers, prompted WestJet to ground a substantial portion of its fleet. Despite the challenges faced by travelers during this period, the union expressed satisfaction with the outcome achieved through the strike, attributing the successful negotiations to their right to strike upheld by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The disruption caused by the strike over the holiday weekend has undoubtedly incurred costs for WestJet, underscoring the importance of the agreement reached between the airline and the union.