Canada: WestJet maintenance workers call off nationwide strike planned for June 28 after government imposes binding arbitration /update 1

WestJet (WS) maintenance engineers and technical workers represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) have called off a nationwide strike planned to take place across Canada starting from 15:30 EDT June 28. The move comes after the Ministry of Transportation ordered parties to commit to binding arbitration; the planned strike was intended to demand pay increases. In anticipation of the strike, the airline had already canceled approximately 25 flights June 27-28.

AMFA previously planned a similar strike for June 20, leading to the cancellation of approximately 40 flights, though it called off the action before its planned start.

Residual flight disruptions across WestJet's network are possible on June 28 as the company repositions aircraft and works through its passenger backlog. Flights by the carrier's subsidiary, Sunwing (WG), may also be affected.