Flyers furious as WestJet cancels flights expecting worker strike, affecting thousands | Canada (2024)

If you booked a WestJet flight for this week, it might be cancelled.

At midnight on Wednesday, the airline released a statement saying it has started cancelling and consolidating flights in preparation for possible strike action by WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Tech Ops employees.

In the coming 48 hours, the carrier says it will be parking aircraft in a phased and safe approach, resulting in around 40 cancellations between Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19. The cancellations will impact around 6,500 passengers.

WestJet says this action enables proactive communication with guests and crew to minimize the potential for being stranded. It also ensures the airline avoids abandoning aircraft at remote locations.

In preparation for labour action by WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Tech Ops employees, @WestJet has started cancelling and consolidating flights.

We deeply regret any disruption this will have on our guests’ travel plans.

Read more: https://t.co/dzp0yDSUDW

— WestJet News (@WestJetNews) June 19, 2024

Potential labour action

According to the statement, the decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group awaits a response on behalf of the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to intervene under the Canada Labour Code.

If accepted, this action would refer the airline and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union representing WestJet maintenance workers, to arbitration for a first collective agreement and prevent labour action by either party.

“We are immensely disheartened that we are in a position where we must activate our contingency plan and begin parking aircraft as a result of the strike notice served by AMFA,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and Group chief operating officer, in a statement.

“We deeply regret the disruption this will have on the travel plans of our guests, communities and businesses that rely on our critical air service.”

An update from Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Group Chief Operating Officer on the preparation for labour action on behalf of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Tech Ops employees. pic.twitter.com/KBtavSHe90

— WestJet (@WestJet) June 19, 2024

AMFA said it issued the strike notice on June 17 after WestJet “refused to proceed with negotiations” scheduled for June 19 and 20 in Calgary.

“We are left with only one response. It is time to march, demonstrate, and lobby your elected officials,” reads a statement from the AMFA-WestJet negotiating committee.

AMFA has served the airline with legal notice of the bargaining unit’s intention to strike beginning at 9 pm EST on June 20.

“Following the memberships’ nearly unanimous decision to reject a generous tentative agreement that would have made our Aircraft Maintenance Engineers the highest paid in the country, with a take-home pay increase of 30 to 40% in the first year of the proposed agreement, it is clear that the bargaining process has broken down,” responded Pen.

What to do if you have an upcoming WestJet flight

The airline says it’s making every effort to re-accommodate impacted guests.

It advises travellers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. For more information on flight status, travel changes, and more, visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page.

“My flight to Vancouver on Saturday better not get cancelled because of a mechanics strike. I cruise on Sunday. Settle this! The price we pay to fly in Canada, you be able to give everyone a raise,” reads one post.

My flight to Vancouver on Saturday better not get cancelled because of a mechanics strike. I cruise on Sunday. Settle this!
The price we pay to fly in Canada, you be able to give everyone a raise.

— Anthony M (@AnthonyM86484) June 18, 2024

“Get your act together and negotiate and keep your customers. Negotiate with your employees who actually used to love working for you,” added another.

You regret nothing. WestJet has become the worst airline. Peak summer travel season too. Get your act together and negotiate and keep your customers. Negotiate with your employees who actually used to love working for you. @WestJet

— Wayne Tressel (@TresselSpecial) June 19, 2024

Cancelled WestJet flights so far

The airline released a network-wide list of cancelled flights at 1 pm MST.

The following 18 flights on Wednesday, June 19 have been cancelled:

  • WS615 YOW-YVR
  • WS422 YEG-YYZ
  • WS660 YYC-YYZ
  • WS428 YEG-YYZ
  • WS121 YYC-YVR
  • WS132 YVR-YYC
  • WS175 YEG-YVR
  • WS674 YYC-YYZ
  • WS483 YWG-YVR
  • WS177 YEG-YVR
  • WS135 YYC-YVR
  • WS133 YYC-YVR
  • WS342 YYC-YQU
  • WS131 YYC-YVR
  • WS600 YYC-YXE
  • WS296 YYC-YQR
  • WS675 YYZ-YYC
  • WS178 YVR-YEG

The following 13 flights on Thursday, June 20 have been cancelled:

  • WS601 YXE-YYC
  • WS144 YQU-YYC
  • WS102 YVR-YYC
  • WS606 YQR-YYZ
  • WS649 YYZ-YYC
  • WS419 YYZ-YEG
  • WS429 YYZ-YEG
  • WS100 YVR-YYC
  • WS661 YYZ-YYC
  • WS956 YVR-YYC
  • WS1788 YVR-LAS
  • WS1789 LAS-YVR
  • WS160 YVR-YEG

How have you been affected by these cancellations? Share your story with us via email at [emailprotected]. We might contact you for a future article.

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Flyers furious as WestJet cancels flights expecting worker strike, affecting thousands | Canada (2024)

FAQs

Flyers furious as WestJet cancels flights expecting worker strike, affecting thousands | Canada? ›

WestJet

WestJet
WestJet Airlines Ltd. WestJet's fleet primarily consists of Boeing 737 aircraft (Next Generation and MAX families), and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The 737 is well-suited for its extensive list of short and medium-haul routes, while the 787 is mainly used for its long-haul flights, with some exceptions.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › WestJet
announced it will cancel 150 flights — possibly affecting 20,000 travellers — just hours after the airline's mechanics said they would strike. The workers' move follows the federal government's decision on Thursday to impose binding arbitration to solve the outstanding issues of their collective agreement.

What happens if WestJet cancels my flight due to strike? ›

Under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) a labour disruption within the carrier or within an essential service provider is considered outside of air carrier control. As a result, any disruption in travel plans due to work stoppage or strike are not eligible for compensation under APPR.

Do you get a full refund if you cancel WestJet? ›

If you cancel your flight within 24 hours of the original booking, the full cost of your flight will be refunded to you in the original form of payment, except in the case of flights that are scheduled to depart within 24 hours of the time of booking (i.e., same-day flights), where the cancellation fee per person will ...

Did WestJet mechanics go on strike? ›

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) announced its members started to strike around 5:30 p.m. MDT Friday because the airline's "unwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable." The move came after the federal government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration on Thursday.

Do I get money if my flight is Cancelled? ›

Cancelled Flight – A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.

Can I get compensation if my flight is Cancelled due to strike? ›

You are entitled to compensation if your flight was cancelled due to airline strike, and you were not notified of this at least 14 days prior to your scheduled departure. If your flight was cancelled, the airline must offer a rebooking on an alternative flight within reasonable time.

Does WestJet actually pay compensation? ›

Westjet Flight Delay Compensation

For compensation, it is the time that you arrived in your destination that's significant, not the time that you took off. So even if you technically departed on time, if you arrived at your destination more than 3 hours late, you may be eligible for compensation.

Can I get 100% refund on flight cancellation? ›

Learn How to Get Full Refund on Flight Cancellation. The booking, cancelling and refund processes for flight tickets have become much more easy and accessible due to online booking platforms. Most airlines offer 100% refund on flight tickets that are cancelled from their end.

How much money will I get if I cancel my flight? ›

The base fare, also known as the “actual ticket price”, will only be repaid in full if the airline is able to resell your ticket and if permitted by the airline's terms and conditions. In such a case, up to 95% of the total ticket price can be refunded to the passenger.

What am I entitled to if WestJet cancels my flight? ›

Should you incur out-of-pocket expenses for a flight delay or cancellation within our control, you may submit a request to WestJet for reimbursem*nt. WestJet will review requests for reasonable expenses that qualify within our guidelines and supporting itemized receipts will be required.

How much notice do you get if your flight is Cancelled? ›

Flight cancellation

You are informed of the cancellation between 2 weeks and 7 days before the scheduled departure time and are offered re-routing, allowing you to depart no more than 2 hours before the scheduled departure time and to reach your final destination less than 4 hours after the scheduled arrival time; or.

Do you need a passport to fly within Canada with WestJet? ›

You must have valid (not expired) identification to take any flight within Canada. Adhering to the Secure Air Travel Regulations, WestJet will not allow you to fly if you do not have proper, valid ID. In addition, the name on your identification must match the name on your airline reservation or boarding pass.

Is the WestJet strike illegal? ›

The union's legal counsel said the strike is within the union's rights even with the minister's order. Sam Seham said there was no explicit mention that job action by AMFA would be against the law.

What happens if my flight is on strike? ›

If a flight is cancelled due to a strike, affected passengers are entitled to alternative transportation to their destination or a refund of the ticket price. The choice between these two options is up to the passenger.

Do aircraft mechanics get free flights? ›

One of the incentives of working as an aircraft mechanic is the opportunity for discounted or completely free fares. As appealing as it sounds, it is not so simple. Aircraft mechanics who work directly for the airline are more likely to enjoy free flight benefits or enroll in discounted flight programs.

What happens to my flight if the airline goes on strike? ›

If a flight is cancelled due to a strike, affected passengers are entitled to alternative transportation to their destination or a refund of the ticket price. The choice between these two options is up to the passenger.

What happens if my flight is cancelled due to air traffic control strike? ›

Reimbursem*nt: A full refund, paid no later than seven days after the scheduled flight. Re-routing: A different flight to your destination from a nearby airport. The airline will be responsible for additional travel costs. Rebooking: A different flight on a later date outside the strike period.

What happens if my flight is Cancelled by the airline? ›

Flight Cancellations and Compensation:

When flights are cancelled, airlines are required to either arrange an alternative flight that departs within two hours of the original departure time or provide a refund for the ticket.

What to do if your flight is suddenly cancelled? ›

Using the airline's app or calling an international airline number is often the quickest way to rebook a flight. The DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard shows what each major domestic airline will or will not provide in the event of a cancellation or delay currently.

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