The carnage continues. But WestJet executives and the union representing striking airiline mechanics appear set to resume bargaining.
WestJet has announced the cancellation of a total of an astounding 832 flights as it deals with a surprise strike by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).
|
WestJet also said it continues to seek intervention, “while exploring every possible avenue for resolution.”
Bret Oestreich, president of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), told the CBC that the two sides will reconvene with a mediator today (Sunday, June 30).
The airline had hopes that the Trudeau government would step in and force the strike to end, but Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan on Saturday said he would not interfere with the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The board, an independent, non-governmental agency, on Friday ruled that the union could go on strike Friday night, despite O’Regan having ordered both sides to submit to binding arbitration.
“Although the compulsory arbitration imposed by the Minister of Labour is scheduled to move forward on an expedited basis, the CIRB has held that, until that process is completed, we are entitled to continue our legal strike,” the union said in a statement posted on its website today (June 30).
Furious customers, meanwhile, have taken to social media to hammer at both WestJet management and the union for a strike that has ruined holiday plans for nearly 50,000 people.
Writing on X/Twitter, @LiamStein134677 said, “Thank you @WestJet, , our wedding in Mexico is ruined due to your incompetence to mitigate this strike. Tens of thousands of dollars gone because you cannot swallow your pride and save the biggest travel week of the year.”
Others blamed the union for the strike, suggesting workers are greedy and using language unsuitable for publication.
Travel agents tell me they’ve been on the phone with WestJet for up to seven or eight hours while waiting to get someone to help with clients’ cancelled flights.
Sarah Lacombe, a WestJet customer, told the CBC she was booked on a flight heading to Puerto Vallarta for her honeymoon, but was delayed due to unscheduled maintenance.
She’d already gone through the same situation earlier in the week after disruptions from the back-and-forth situation between the airline and AMFA.
“We haven’t been on a vacation like this in eight years,” Lacombe said. “I want it to get back on schedule and not have any grounded flights for anybody travelling.”
The strike is a huge headache for consumers. But it appears that passengers have limited options in terms of refunds.
Sylvie De Bellefeuille, director of legal services at Montreal-based consumer rights group Option consommateurs, told Global News that a labour dispute that grounds an airline’s planes usually falls under the category of cancellations outside a carrier’s control.
“Which means that’s the one where it’s the lowest level of liability for the airline. So the one where I would say the level of rights of consumers or passengers is lower, unfortunately,” she said.
It’s also difficult for WestJet to put passengers on other planes during a busy time for travel. On top of that, there are many routes where WestJet is the only option for fliers, which means the airline simply can’t put a passenger on another carrier.
I’ve seen some social media posts encouraging Canadians to drive across the border and hop on a flight out of Buffalo or Seattle. Likewise, Americans heading to Canada could perhaps fly to a northern U.S. city and drive to their Canadian destination.
But that’s tricky, time-consuming, and potentially quite expensive.
The strike also is hurting tourism in Calgary, where WestJet is based. The airline operates dozens of flights in and out of YYC every day, and hotels and restaurants in the city rely on incoming passengers to fill their rooms and dining tables.
Between June and September, Calgary typically welcomes about 40 per cent of its 8.4 million annual visitors, Carson Ackroyd, senior vice-president of sales for Tourism Calgary, told the Calgary Herald.
“These businesses rely very much on visitation and it’s the busiest time of year,” he said.
I can’t see the strike lasting that long, but no doubt folks are worried at the Calgary Stampede, which is scheduled to begin Friday, July 5.
