CALGARY,
AB, May 4, 2024 /CNW/ - WestJet today has
issued a 72-hour lockout notice to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal
Association (AMFA), the union that represents WestJet Aircraft
Maintenance Engineers. As a result of today's lockout notice, a
work stoppage could occur as early as Tuesday,
May 7, 2024, at
12 p.m. MT, unless a deal is
reached.
"The decision to issue a lockout notice was not one that was
made lightly, and we sincerely regret and apologize for the
uncertainty this causes for our guests and the communities and
regions that rely on us. Despite our unwavering commitment to reach
a collective agreement, AMFA continues to show up to the bargaining
table with unreasonable demands and expectations," said
Diederik Pen, President of WestJet
Airline and Group Chief Operating Officer. "With AMFA publicly
issuing a strike vote alert last week and publicly directing guests
to fly with other carriers, we can't allow the unpredictable nature
and lack of progress to continue. We are left with no alternative
but to issue a lockout notice in an attempt to bring this to a
final resolution."
The WestJet Group has been in active labour negotiations with
AMFA since September 2023. The
WestJet Group has presented an offer to AMFA that would make
WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers the highest paid in
Canada, with a cumulative wage
increase of over 20 per cent across the span of the collective
agreement. The offer would also deliver industry leading work-life
balance standards and strong commitments to job security.
"We sincerely value the work and contributions of our Aircraft
Maintenance Engineers, and our proposed agreement reflects this. We
are unwaveringly committed to reaching an agreement to prevent
travel disruption, however, we are equally prepared to protect the
travel plans of our guests and to provide long-term stability and
security for all employees at the WestJet Group," concluded
Pen.
Issuing a 72-hour lockout notice does not mean travel disruption
will occur. However, in the coming days, the WestJet Group will
take all necessary actions to manage the impacts as much as
possible, including:
- Beginning preparations to operate a reduced schedule.
- Proactively managing changes and cancellations, to ensure the
ability to communicate with guests in advance of their flight.
- Providing flexible change and cancel options for those who wish
to make alternative arrangements.
Please visit WestJet's Guest Updates page for more
information regarding flight status, travel changes and applicable
dates for flexible change and cancel options.
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