WestJet sent 72-hour lockout notice to AMFA

Air carrier WestJet says it has sent a 72-hour lockout notice to the union that represents aircraft maintenance mechanics, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).

May at noon”,”text”:”If no agreement is reached, a work stoppage will take place starting May 7 at noon”}}”>If no agreement is reached, a work stoppage will take place starting May 7 at noonspecifies the email that WestJet president Diederik Pen sent to employees.

AMFA publicly called for a strike vote last week and has actively encouraged customers to do business with other carriers on several occasions. [Cette situation] impacts our staff and customers and harms our business”,”text”:”AMFA publicly called for a strike vote last week and has actively encouraged customers to do business with other carriers on several occasions. [Cette situation] impacts our staff and customers and harms our business”}}”>L’AMFA publicly called for a strike vote last week and has actively encouraged customers to do business with other carriers on several occasions. [Cette situation] impacts our staff and customers and harms our businesscontinues the email, adding that a lockout notice is necessary to limit the repercussions of this situation.

The company has prepared to take necessary measures to minimize the impacts of a work stoppage which, according to its president, seems inevitable.

Last week, theAMFA announced that it had requested that its members be able to begin voting for strike action on May 2.

WestJet and AMFA have been negotiating a new contract since September 2023.