The strike between WestJet and its air mechanics has ended after they reached a second tentative collective agreement.
Members of the Aircraft mechanics Fraternal Association will return to work as scheduled, according to a news release from the airline.
“The damage to Canadians and our airline is massive, a swift resolution was necessary; we take no victory laps on this outcome but will sleep better tonight knowing further harm has been prevented,” wrote Diedrik Pen, president of WestJet airlines.
The strike began Friday and ended just after midnight Monday morning. By Sunday, 832 flights had been canceled.
The air mechanics union confirmed they reached a second tentative agreement with WestJet Monday morning.
“As a direct result of our members’ solidarity, AMFA was able to reach a second tentative agreement (TA2) providing substantial improvements over both the current terms of employment and the terms provided for in the first tentative agreement,” the union wrote on their website.
They reached their first collective agreement with WestJet in May. Negotiations continued to finalize the language until the union 97.25 per cent of air mechanics in the union voted to reject the agreement. They rejected it largely because WestJet didn’t offer enough of a raise and because of “bad faith bargaining tactics throughout the negotiation process.”
The union took strike action after the federal Labour Minister requested both parties enter arbitration. The Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled this was legal.
However, the airline says this caused a “lack of clarity,” so the two parties negotiated on Sunday, their first time talking since Thursday.
“We will see no further labour action coming out of this dispute, as both parties agree to arbitrate the contract in the case of a failed ratification,” wrote Pen.
The airline said 130 planes across the country were grounded because of the strike, and it will take time to get them up and running again.
WestJet anticipates flight disruptions for at least the rest of the week.
