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Canada actions in to avoid WestJet engineers strike ahead of vacation weekend

Canada's federal government stepped in on Thursday to prevent a strike by upkeep engineers at WestJet Airlines, the nation's secondlargest provider, to avoid more flight cancellations ahead of a busy vacation weekend.

Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan said he had actually bought the nation's industrial relations board to enforce final binding arbitration in the dispute between the airline and the Airplane Mechanics Fraternal Association.

The parties still stay far apart today, and tensions have just increased, he said in a declaration.

The union said there was no modern precedent for the move, including it would abide by the order and direct its members to refrain from any illegal task action.

WestJet said on Wednesday it had begun canceling flights ahead of the strike, which could have begun on Friday. Monday is Canada Day, among the country's crucial vacations.

WestJet, which is backed by Onex Corp and competes with Air Canada, has been dealing with demands from employees for much better working conditions and higher incomes.

(source: Reuters)