WestJet cancels 400 flights due to mechanics union strike

In a recent development, WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, has been forced to cancel 407 flights, impacting a staggering 49,000 passengers due to a strike initiated by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. The union cited the airline's alleged refusal to engage in negotiations as the primary reason for the strike, following weeks of contentious discussions over a new agreement. WestJet has announced plans to ground aircraft until Sunday, coinciding with the upcoming long weekend leading up to Canada Day on Monday. WestJet's CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, has placed blame on what he described as a "rogue union from the U.S." attempting to influence operations in Canada. Von Hoensbroech emphasized that once the government intervened by directing the dispute to binding arbitration, the airline considered negotiations with the union concluded. He expressed bewilderment at the strike, noting that the union had rejected an offer that would have made WestJet's mechanics the highest-paid in the country. Despite the disruptions, the union spokesperson, McVeigh, expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to passengers, attributing flight disruptions to the airline's alleged lack of willingness to engage in respectful negotiations. Passengers affected by the strike, such as Samin Sahan and Samee Jan, shared their frustrations at Toronto's Pearson Airport, where their travel plans were abruptly altered. Sahan and Jan, who had been preparing for a trip to Calgary with family, criticized WestJet's handling of the situation, with Sahan highlighting the impact on both customers and the company itself. The ongoing strike has left many travelers stranded and uncertain about their future travel arrangements, with sentiments of disappointment and sadness expressed by those caught in the midst of the labor dispute.