WestJet strike officially ends as new deal ratified to keep planes in the air in Canada

A new collective agreement between Canada’s second-largest airline and its mechanics was ratified on Friday, nearly two weeks after a nationwide strike disrupted tens of thousands of travellers over the July 1 long weekend.

Calgary-based WestJet, which operates many of its flights out of Pearson Airport in Mississauga, said in an online statement issued Friday the first collective bargaining deal is now in place between the company and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association that represents the aircraft maintenance engineers and other technical operations workers.

“Reaching this milestone is good news for our organization and our guests, solidifying a five-year agreement that provides stability to our business and reflects the instrumental value and contributions of our aircraft maintenance engineers and other technical operations employees,” said Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines . “While we are grateful to have achieved resolution with a clear path forward together as a unified team, we recognize that the unprecedented impact of the disruption over July long weekend is still concerning for our guests, the communities we serve and our people.”

The two-day strike by workers forced numerous flight cancellations over the Canada Day long weekend at Pearson and across the country, upsetting the travel plans of countless people and costing WestJet millions of dollars.

Striking workers got back on the job July 1 pending ratification of the temporary agreement.

Between the Thursday leading up to Canada Day, which fell on a Monday, and the holiday, WestJet cancelled more than 800 flights during what is the busiest travel weekend of the season, the company said earlier.

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The new five-year deal will see workers receive a 15.5 per cent wage increase in year one, a 3.25 per cent hike in the second year and increases of 2.5 per cent in each of the remaining three years.

— with files from The Canadian Press

(Cover photo: WestJet)