UPDATE: WestJet mechanic strike put on hold

Board officials say they need more information from both sides to decide whether arbitration is the best way to reach an agreement.

(With files from The Canadian Press)

WestJet mechanic strike could have major impact on YLW: CEO
1 p.m. June 19

Kelowna International Airport could see some serious impacts to operations if a planned strike goes ahead.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association issued a strike notice to WestJet earlier in the week, with the possibility of workers walking off the job Thursday, June 20, if negotiations fail.

Speaking with Vernon Matters, Sam Samaddar, Chief Executive Officer of YLW , said there were some members of the union working out of YLW, though he could not provide an exact figure.

However, he did state that a strike would have significant impacts on the airport.

“From what we’re hearing from WestJet is the operations here would essentially be shut down if it goes into a full blown job action,” Samaddar said, noting WestJet makes up a large portion of the airport’s daily flights.

“When you look at the overall market, WestJet flies about 60 per cent of our market share out of Kelowna, in terms of total traffic volume. So they are our principle carrier, there’s no doubt about that, out of the Kelowna market.”

As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, there had been no cancellations of WestJet flights in or out of YLW, though 40 other flights across Canada were grounded due to the potential strike.

The airport CEO urged the union and the airline come to an agreement and avoid the strike.

“I don’t think any of us in this business would like to see this happen, so my encouragement to both parties would be to try to get this matter resolved,” Samaddar told Vernon Matters.

“I think it’s certainly in the interest of WestJet to get that done, but I think more importantly for the travelling public. We’re starting to get into a very, very busy part of our travel season with spring into summer, which is a very, very heavy travel period. So we understand, all of us do including WestJet, that this is going to have an obviously big impact on people that travel each day.”

People planning to fly with WestJet are advised to monitor the YLW’s website for changes to flight times and updates on the strike action impacts.

WestJet will reportedly contact passengers affected by flight cancellations.

— Original Story —

Flights in and out of Kelowna International Airport have not been significantly affected by a national labour dispute.

WestJet cancelled about 40 flights across Canada Wednesday, June 19, in anticipation of a possible strike by 670 members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, who issued a notice to the airline earlier in the week, and could walk off the job on Thursday.

However, the dispute has not led to any cancellations at YLW as of yet.

The airport posted on its website at 6 a.m. Wednesday that there had been no cancellations of WestJet flights arriving or departing YLW, adding updates to any cancellations or impacts from strikes would be posted under the Passenger Updates section of its website.

The airport added any passengers impacted by strike action or other flight cancellations would be contacted directly, while also encouraging people flying WestJet to contact the airline directly for any updates.

by Liam Verster

UPDATE: WestJet mechanic strike put on hold

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