WestJet, one of Canada’s largest airlines, has issued a lockout notice to its maintenance engineers union, raising the possibility of a work stoppage.
The notice, which was issued on Friday, comes after months of negotiations between the airline and the union, which represents approximately 650 maintenance engineers.
According to WestJet, the lockout notice was issued due to the union’s refusal to agree to the company’s proposed changes to the collective agreement. These changes include a new salary grid and changes to the pension plan.
In a statement, WestJet’s Vice President of Operations, Jeff Martin, expressed disappointment in the union’s unwillingness to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. He stated, “We have been negotiating in good faith for over a year and have made numerous attempts to reach a fair and reasonable deal. Unfortunately, the union has rejected our proposals and has not provided any counteroffers.”
The union, on the other hand, argues that the proposed changes would result in a significant decrease in wages and benefits for its members. In a statement, the union’s president, Charles Bueckert, stated, “We are disappointed that WestJet has chosen to take this drastic step. Our members are dedicated professionals who play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and reliability of WestJet’s fleet. We are committed to reaching a fair agreement that recognizes their contributions.”
The lockout notice will come into effect on May 10 at 12:01 a.m. MT, unless an agreement is reached before then. If a lockout does occur, it would be the first in WestJet’s history.
In the event of a lockout, WestJet has stated that it will continue to operate its flights with the help of its management team and external contractors. However, the airline has warned that there may be disruptions to its operations and has advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
The union has also stated that it is willing to continue negotiations in order to avoid a lockout. Bueckert stated, “We remain committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement and are willing to continue negotiations in order to avoid any disruptions to our members’ livelihoods and the travelling public.”
The potential work stoppage comes at a difficult time for the airline industry, which has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains to be seen how this dispute will be resolved and what impact it will have on WestJet and its passengers.
