WestJet AMFA Strike EndsWestJet AMFA Strike Ends WestJet has announced that the Fraternal Association of Aircraft Mechanics (AMFA) has withdrawn their strike action effective 10:30 p.m. MT on June 30, 2024. AMFA members, including WestJet’s aircraft maintenance engineers and technical operations staff, will return to work as scheduled. Negotiations between the airline and AMFA resumed on Sunday after being at a standstill over the intent of the minister’s order for binding arbitration. “The damage to Canadians and our airline is enormous,” said Diederik Pen, WestJet Airlines president and group chief operating officer. “We will not see any further labor actions arising from this dispute, as both parties have agreed to arbitrate the contract in the event of a failed ratification.” During the strike, WestJet was forced to park 130 planes at 13 airports in Canada. With the strike now over, the airline will begin restoring operations in a safe and timely manner, but it will take time for normal flying to resume. WestJet is thanking its guests for their patience and its employees for their dedication and resilience during the strike.
WestJet has confirmed that from 10:30 p.m. MT on June 30, 2024, the Fraternal Association of Aircraft Mechanics (AMFA) withdraw their strike action.
A press release late in the evening of July 1 confirmed that AMFA members – WestJet’s aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) and technical operations – will return to work as planned.
The airline and AMFA resumed negotiations on Sunday (June 30), for the first time since Thursday, June 27, despite a stalemate over the intent of the minister’s order for binding arbitration.
“The damage to Canadians and our airline is enormous, a swift resolution was necessary; we are not taking victory laps on this outcome, but will sleep better tonight knowing that further damage has been prevented,” the spokesperson said. Diederik PenWestJet Airlines president and group chief operating officer, in a statement. “We will not see any further labor actions arising from this dispute as both parties have agreed to arbitrate the contract in the event of a failed ratification.”
Lack of clarity from the government and the CIRB’s decisions allowed a strike to take place amid binding arbitration, WestJet noted.
With no path to resolution, both sides took “essential steps to find common ground and reach an agreement,” the airline said.
WestJet was forced to park 130 planes at 13 airports in Canada in response to the strike. Now that the strike is over, the airline says it will begin restoring operations in a safe and timely manner.
Given the impact on WestJet’s network in recent days – on Sunday WestJet approached a total of 1,000 flight cancellations – “it will take time to return to normal flying,” the airline said.
Further disruptions can be expected in the coming week as the airline gets planes and crew back into place.
“We would like to thank our guests for their patience during this uncertain and stressful time,” said Pen. “I would like to personally thank our teams of WestJetters who were also thrust into uncertainty and who once again demonstrated their care, dedication and resilience.”
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