Both WestJet and the union that represents its maintenance engineers have announced in a joint statement on Monday, May 6, that they have tentatively agreed to avoid a work stoppage. Both sides did not disclose deal terms in the statement, but are now awaiting the ratification vote, as reported by Reuters.
Will Abbott, the Director of Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) Region II, expressed his pride in the provisional agreement that has been achieved after nine months of tough negotiations, adding that it will now go through the ratification process.
Union Receives 72-Hour Lockout Notice From Westjet
Last weekend, the Canadian airline notified the AMFA about a 72-hour lockout that could begin as early as Tuesday, May 7, unless an agreement was reached.
According to a CBC report, members of AMFA have been voting to go on strike since Thursday, May 2. Passengers were already being urged by the union to book their tickets on other carriers.
Pay, benefits, and important terms defining the job that AMFA members must do for WestJet have been the subject of talks between the union and WestJet since September 2023.
A preliminary deal was negotiated last year that included a 24% hourly raise over four years, along with additional compensation and benefits, for WestJet pilots.
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