WestJet job action avoided, but flight cancellation still in effect
A labour dispute at WestJet has caused significant disruption for travellers heading into the Canada Day long weekend. In preparation for potential job action the airline cancelled 25 flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday, impacting over 3,300 passengers.
On Thursday afternoon, the federal government intervened, forcing WestJet and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) back to the negotiating table and putting job action on hold.
However, the timing of this intervention was too late for some travelers, including Shad Lehmann, who had to cut short his work trip in Minneapolis to return to Saskatoon.
"They had rebooked me on a flight two days later to come home because of some reason or another. And I managed to get a hold of them last night and they were able to rebook me to come home a day early, which kind of changed my travel plans and my work plans, but better to be home early," said Lehmann.
Gordon Lei, who was catching one of the last flights to Vancouver before Friday’s cancellations, expressed his relief.
"Obviously if today's flight was cancelled that would be devastating. I live in Vancouver, so not being able to get home for the long weekend would be devastating," said Lei.
A similar situation occurred the previous week when flights were cancelled in anticipation of job action that ultimately did not take place. While the dispute is now in binding arbitration, travelers are still urged to check the status of their flights.
Justin Reves, spokesperson for Regina International Airport, advises travelers to stay informed.
"Try and download that WestJet app, sign up for those email notifications, follow them on social media. Try to get your information through a digital source as things can be very busy as opposed to phoning in, and of course, we're going to keep everyone updated here on our social channels if we start seeing real serious cancellations or disruptions," said Reves.
Going into the long weekend, the union has stated it will comply and direct its members to refrain from unlawful job action. WestJet confirmed that no additional flights will be cancelled.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6947086.1719783953!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Are you proud to be Canadian? Poll suggests that feeling is dwindling
A new poll suggests the vast majority of Canadians are proud of their home and native land, but our sense of national pride is lower than it was a few years ago.
Multiple people injured in RV police chase in Lloydminster: RCMP
Several people were injured Saturday night after a man allegedly stole an occupied RV during a police chase at a campground in Lloydminster.
B.C.'s Michael J. Fox joins Coldplay on stage at Glastonbury Festival
A crowd of around 100,000 people were treated to a surprise appearance from a B.C. star during Coldplay’s set at Glastonbury Festival in England this weekend.
Neighbour on the hook for $3,675 in damages due to ‘nuisance cedar’: B.C. tribunal
A B.C. man who reneged on a deal to split the cost of removing a tree with his next-door neighbour is now on the hook for the whole amount, B.C.’s civil resolution has ruled.
WestJet calls on feds for ‘urgent clarity’ around strike after 800 flights cancelled
A strike by WestJet plane mechanics forced the airline to cancel hundreds more flights on Sunday, upending the plans of roughly 110,000 travellers over the Canada Day long weekend and prompting the carrier to demand action from the federal government.
A study identified 6 types of depression. Here’s why that matters
Scientists may be a step closer to that reality, thanks to new research that has identified six subtypes — or 'biotypes' — of major depression via brain imaging combined with machine learning.
Nude beach etiquette: Lose your clothes, not your manners
Most of us have felt the freedom and delight that comes with stripping down to a swimsuit on a sunny day and wading into a cool sea, the horizon twinkling in the distance.
Russian state media claim Kanye West is visiting Moscow
Unconfirmed reports say American rapper and producer Kanye West is visiting Moscow. If true, it would make West the first major American celebrity to visit Moscow since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Police seek suspect, probe suspected hate crimes after two Toronto synagogues vandalized
Toronto police say they're investigating a pair of suspected hate-motivated offences after two city synagogues were damaged early Sunday morning.