BTN News: As WestJet prepares for a possible strike of its aircraft maintenance engineers and the technical operations staff, the airline is pulling flights off the schedule in advance of any job action. This is in retaliation to the mechanics warning a strike which will severely alter the carrier’s operations.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. is heading for a possible strike by its aircraft maintenance engineers and technical operations employees as it builds capacity to allow for more growth. To lessen the effect on passengers, the airline is already largely canceling and rebooking flights. The move comes after WestJet’s mechanics — who are represented by the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association (AMEA) — gave the Calgary-based carrier a 72-hour strike notice, a pivotal point in the ongoing labor strife. The situation highlights the overall challenges plaguing an industry faced with intense competition from Air Canada and dogged by efforts to close a wage gap with their U.S. counterparts.
Thousands of Passengers Affected by Flight Cancellations
WestJet said Wednesday that 40 flights are cancelled over June 18-19, impacting an estimated 6,500 passengers. The decision comes as a result of that that initially announced strike, which is expected to start at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday. However, the airline has still not fully addressed the demands of these employees while they have gone on strike along with approximately 681 skilled employees including aircraft maintenance engineers.
Stand Of Union And Notice Of Strike
WestJet psychopaths (the mechanics stumbled over their sentences when asked), have been out in droves asking for more hard stuff, in that a better pay scale be achieved for their efforts. Tuesday’s strike notice highlights the critical nature of their requests. But opting to go on strike on the part of the union illustrates how the patience of the workforce is wearing thin, as workers demand a wage scale that matches the one paying their higher-flying coworkers across the border in the United States.
WestJet’s Strategic Response
With the impending strike expected to lay waste to the airline’s future, WestJet has requested the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to intervene under the Canada Labour Code. The airline is counting on the CIRB to intervene to stop the strike and help get the parties to the table. WestJet has continued to operate its regional WestJet Encore network which acts as a feeder for its mainline services.
Competition and Industry Landscape
WestJet’s current reality is one of intense competition with Air Canada. Airlines are working to accommodate employee requests and maintain operational continuity in both instances. Filling that gap between what its non-unionized U.S. staff earn and what its Canadian pilots are paid is an equally tricky issue in ongoing labor talks at WestJet, owned by Onex Corp.
Conclusion
WestJet faces a major challenge with an impending strike from its aircraft maintenance engineers and some technical operations employees. Thousands of passengers have already been hit by flight cancellations and the situation demonstrates the urgency for a solution. The results of this labor conflict will be felt across WestJet and the airline’s competitive position in the business, as WestJet holds on for a response from the CIRB.
