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WestJet Airlines strike to continue till offer reached with mechanics, union states

A strike by WestJet Airlines' mechanics that has caused numerous cancelled flights over Canada's long vacation weekend will continue until a. deal is reached, the union's president told on Sunday.

Bret Oestreich, president of the Aircraft Mechanics. Fraternal Association, stated the 2 sides will reconvene with a. mediator on Sunday. The union represents around 680 workers at. WestJet, including aircraft maintenance engineers, who went on. strike Friday after 97% of its members declined a pay deal. reached in May.

All we wish to do is to return to the table, said. Oestreich. The strike will be in impact until we get an. arrangement.

He said the 2 sides are separated by a first-year financial. difference of roughly 7%, or less than $8 million on a. approximately four-year agreement.

WestJet, which is owned by Onex Corp, was not. right away offered for discuss Sunday.

On Saturday, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech blamed the. union for the disruption, arguing that leaders refused to. negotiate.

Their only purpose was to interrupt as numerous Canadian. travelers as possible, he stated.

Canada's second-largest provider said late on Saturday that. it has actually canceled a total of 407 flights affecting over 49,000. guests.

WestJet President Diederik Pen told reporters on Saturday. the carrier was expecting to fly around 70,000 guests a day. throughout the long weekend. Pen said the airline company can preserve. minimal service with 30-50 aircraft, operating around 150. flights a day.

The strike has actually frustrated tourists throughout Canada's long. July 1 weekend with travelers requiring to social media to. grumble about cancelled family holidays or being stranded.

Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has actually urged WestJet. and the union to fix their differences and reach an. agreement.

Seeking to preemptively prevent the strike, O'Regan had asked. the Canada Industrial Relations Board to resolve the contract. dispute through binding arbitration.

While the board accepted arbitration, it stated O'Regan's. recommendation does not have the impact of suspending the right to. strike or lockout.

Oestreich stated the union, which remains in a legal position to. strike, wants a negotiated deal rather of a contract imposed. by an arbitrator.

WestJet said it has used a 12.5% wage boost in the. first year of the agreement and a compounded wage increase of. 23% over the term of the arrangement.

(source: Reuters)