WestJet mechanics ratify collective agreement following Canada Day strike
Global News
In a Friday update to members, the AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee said the agreement was approved by 96 per cent of membership.
The union representing WestJet’s aircraft maintenance engineers announced Friday that members have ratified a collective bargaining agreement following strike action that disrupted travel plans over the Canada Day long weekend.
In an update to members, the AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee said the agreement was approved by 96 per cent of members. Union leaders said the two-day strike “had the effect of resurrecting a dying craft.”
“We have placed Canada on a path of enhanced aviation safety by providing a new standard for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) compensation,” the committee said.
“The major improvements secured in our collective agreement will begin to attract a new generation of talent to aircraft maintenance.”
Hundreds of WestJet flights were cancelled just before the Canada Day long weekend after union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative deal from the Calgary-based airline.
The move followed a directive by federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan ordering the two parties to binding arbitration and two weeks of turbulent discussions over a new deal.
Union officials were seeking a collective agreement that included higher wages and benefits.
In a brief news release issued Friday, WestJet president and chief operating officer Diederik Pen said reaching the deal is good news for the company and its guests.
