Canadian authorities have called for dialogue to address the demands that sparked a strike at WestJet airlines, media reported Sunday.
Canada’s second-largest airline announced the cancellation of 235 flights on Saturday due to a strike by its mechanics.
Federal Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan has once again called on WestJet and the union representing the airline’s mechanics (AMFA) to “work with the Canada Industrial Relations Board to resolve their dispute and reach an agreement” , Radio Canada understands.
There is a lot at stake, Canadians need this situation resolved, the minister said in a post on the social network X.
Read also: Canada: Hundreds of flights canceled due to strike
Seamus O’Regan met with WestJet and the AMFA on Saturday to reiterate this call already made the day before, the same source added.
These cancellations are in addition to the 150 announced Friday evening and the 25 on Thursday, affecting a total of more than 55,000 passengers across the country and internationally during one of the busiest weekends of the year.
“This situation is catastrophic,” said WestJet President Diederik Pen.
On Thursday, the threat of collective action seemed to have been averted following the intervention of the federal government which ordered binding arbitration to resolve the contractual dispute concerning wages and working conditions.
A strike notice was issued earlier this month after mechanics rejected a tentative deal with the country’s second-largest airline.
With MAP
