Federal Canadian mediators advised Westjet and AMFA that a strike by, or lockout of, WestJet aircraft maintenance employees could commence as early as April 17 of this year.

U.S, Feb. 6 -- On January 26, 2024, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) advised that WestJet Airlines had filed a Notice of Dispute under Section 71 of the Canada Labour Code relating to the ongoing contract negotiations between the carrier and its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). WestJet filed the notice, without prior consultation with AMFA, after only three negotiation sessions.

According to WestJet's Notice of Dispute, the FMCS has placed the parties into a program of mediated negotiations that extends until March 26, 2024.

Unless the parties jointly agree to an extension of mediated negotiations, a twenty-one (21) day cooling-off period would...