The union representing WestJet’s aircraft maintenance engineers announced Friday that members have ratified a collective bargaining agreement following strike action that disrupted travel plans over the Canada Day long weekend.
In an update to members, the AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee said the agreement was approved by 96 per cent of members. Union leaders said the two-day strike “had the effect of resurrecting a dying craft.”
“We have placed Canada on a path of enhanced aviation safety by providing a new standard for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) compensation,” the committee said.
“The major improvements secured in our collective agreement will begin to attract a new generation of talent to aircraft maintenance.”
Hundreds of WestJet flights were cancelled just before the Canada Day long weekend after union members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative deal from the Calgary-based airline.
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The move followed a directive by federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan ordering the two parties to binding arbitration …