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In Canada, more than 100 flights were canceled due to the strike of aircraft mechanics

Published: in News by .

WestJet expressed outrage and said it would prosecute the union for the cost and stress involved.

Canadian airline WestJet has been forced to cancel at least 150 flights due to a strike by its maintenance workers union. This affected the plans of 20,000 passengers who had flight tickets. This was reported by the Associated Press on Saturday, June 29.

It is indicated that the cause of the aircraft mechanics' protests was "the airline's reluctance to negotiate with the trade union."

The strike affected both international and domestic flights, falling over the Canada Day long weekend.

According to the CBC , the union decided to strike the day after Labor Minister Seamus O'Regan ordered the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to introduce mandatory arbitration to resolve collective agreement issues between the airline and the Amfa Fraternal Association of Aircraft Mechanics. The order came after two weeks of negotiations with the union over a new agreement. As of Friday, the union was in dialogue with the CIRB.

Earlier this month, mechanics voted to reject a previous agreement with the Calgary-based airline, prompting WestJet to turn to the government and leading to two strike notices issued by the union.

WestJet expressed outrage at the situation and said it would demand full responsibility from the union for the inconvenience and damages caused.

The union negotiating committee, in turn, referred to an order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which does not prohibit strikes or lockouts during the arbitration process.

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