Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
WestJet mechanics say they are set to walk off the job as early as Thursday night after giving the airline a 72-hour strike notice yesterday.
The Fraternal Association of Aircraft Mechanics, which represents about 670 aircraft maintenance engineers and other skilled trades jobs at the carrier, says it made the decision after WestJet ended negotiations this week.
On Monday, WestJet asked the federal labor minister to refer negotiations to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which would then arbitrate the terms of a collective agreement.
WestJet president Diederik Pen says arbitration would allow an impartial third party to set a reasonable deal, and would also prohibit work stoppages in the interim.
The union, whose members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative deal last week, opposes the move, saying it would undermine their goal of an “industry-changing contract.”
The airline says the strike notice “does not mean that travel disruption will occur,” although it remains unclear how the sudden absence of hundreds of mechanics might affect flights.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on June 18, 2024.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/westjet-mechanics-hit-airline-with-72-hour-strike-notice-1.6931652
