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Canada reviews labor board decision after surprise WestJet strike

A Canadian government authorities said on Saturday he is examining a decision by the nation's labor board, after a. surprise strike by WestJet Airlines mechanics resulted in 150 flight. cancellations, impacting about 20,000 guests.

Labor Minister Seamus O'Regan said in a statement published. on X that a decision by the Canada Industrial Labor Board is. plainly irregular with my instructions.

I will be taking additional actions to safeguard the. interests of the employer, the union and all Canadians taking a trip. over this national holiday weekend, O'Regan stated.

Seeking to avoid a strike by the Airplane Mechanics. Fraternal Association union's approximately 680 members that work for. Canada's second-largest carrier, O'Regan had asked the board to. deal with the conflict through binding arbitration.

While the board on Friday bought the contract to be. finalized through arbitration, it added in an order that the. ministerial referral does not have the effect of suspending the. right to strike or lockout.

Unions in The United States and Canada have actually taken advantage of tight labor. markets to win large contracts at the bargaining table, with. mainline pilots, autoworkers and others scoring huge raises in. 2023.

The union served strike notices to WestJet after 97% of. its members voted to reject a tentative pay deal reached in May.

WestJet has said it is actively pursuing procedures to. decrease flight disruption, consisting of asking for immediate. action by the Canadian federal government.

We understand how unpleasant this is for our guests and our. individuals; nevertheless, we must begin the instant and safe parking of. our airplane, stated Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines. and Group Chief Operating Officer, in a declaration on Friday.

The union stated it was told by WestJet that the airline. would not engage in additional cumulative bargaining in Toronto,. mentioning the government-imposed arbitration.

(source: Reuters)