Further damage to guests, employees, and
communities prevented as the airline works to
rebuild
CALGARY,
AB, June 30, 2024 /CNW/ - WestJet confirms
that as of June 30, 2024 at
10:30 p.m. MT, the Aircraft Mechanics
Fraternal Association (AMFA) are withdrawing their strike action.
AMFA members will return to work as scheduled to immediately start
work to restore the network. The airline and AMFA resumed talks
earlier today, for the first time since Thursday, June 27, despite a stalemate on the
intent of the Minister's order for binding arbitration. They did so
to reach a tentative agreement and prevent further damage to the
Canadian public.
"The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift
resolution was necessary; we take no victory laps on this outcome
but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been
prevented," said Diederik Pen,
President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer.
"We will see no further labour action coming out of this dispute,
as both parties agree to arbitrate the contract in the case of a
failed ratification."
Lack of clarity from the government and the decisions taken by
the CIRB allowed for a strike to occur amidst binding arbitration.
With no path forward to resolution, both parties made essential
movements to find common ground and achieve an agreement.
The company was forced to park 130 aircraft at 13 airports
across Canada, in response to the
strike. With today's news, the airline will begin work to restore
operations in a safe and timely manner. Given the significant
impact to WestJet's network over the past few days, returning to
business-as-usual flying will take time and further disruptions
over the coming week are to be anticipated as the airline gets
aircraft and crew back into position.
"We want to thank guests for their patience during what was an
uncertain and stressful time," continued Pen. "I want to personally
thank our teams of WestJetters who were equally thrust into the
uncertainty, and who once again demonstrated their care, dedication
and resilience."
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.
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership