A strike by WestJet plane mechanics was averted – for now – after both sides agreed to resume negotiations, but not before nearly 50 flights were canceled.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board said it needs more time and presentations from each side before deciding whether to reach a collective agreement via binding arbitration, as WestJet proposed earlier this week.
This request to the labor court resulted in a 72-hour strike notice from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association on Monday evening.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board also declined to ban pressure tactics for the time being, returning the airline to square one – the bargaining table – after a maneuver that included temporarily halting negotiations with the union.
In anticipation of an impending strike, which was later ruled out, WestJet canceled 45 flights Wednesday and Thursday as it began restricting the movement of its 180 planes, affecting thousands of passengers.
In statements during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, the two parties affirmed that they would return to the table to try to resolve their differences in the conclusion of a first collective agreement for more than 670 mechanics.
Union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative agreement last week and voiced opposition to WestJet’s request for arbitration.
Thursday morning, the union canceled its strike notice and declared that it would not initiate pressure tactics “as long as, in its determination, the negotiations remained productive”.
WestJet said it hoped to reach a resolution without further disruption to service and aimed to resume normal operations as quickly as possible.
“We recognize the impact these initial cancellations have had on our guests and staff, and we are sincerely grateful for their patience during this time,” said Diederik Pen, WestJet Airlines President and Group Chief Operating Officer.