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WestJet Airlines strike to continue until deal reached with mechanics, union states

A strike by WestJet Airlines' mechanics that has led to numerous canceled flights over Canada's long holiday weekend will continue until an offer is reached, the union's president told on Sunday.

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

All we want to do is to go back to the table, stated. Oestreich. The strike will be in impact till we get an. contract.

He said the two sides are separated by a first-year economic. distinction of approximately 7%, or less than $8 million, on a. approximately four-year agreement.

WestJet Airlines stated on Sunday that it had actually canceled an. additional 410 flights overnight, for an overall of more than 800. flights, as the strike entered its 3rd day.

WestJet is in invoice of a binding arbitration order. and wait for urgent clarity from the federal government that a strike and. arbitration can not exist at the same time, airline company President. Diederik Pen.

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

Their only function was to interrupt as numerous Canadian. travelers as possible, he said.

Pen told press reporters on Saturday the provider was anticipating to. fly around 70,000 guests a day during the long July 1. weekend. He stated the airline company can maintain minimal service with. 30-50 aircraft, operating around 150 flights a day.

The strike has actually frustrated travelers throughout Canada's long. weekend with passengers requiring to social media to complain about. canceled family holidays or being stranded.

Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has prompted WestJet. and the union to solve their differences and reach an. arrangement.

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

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

Oestreich stated the union, which remains in a legal position to. strike, wants a worked out deal rather of an agreement enforced. by an arbitrator.

WestJet stated it has actually offered a 12.5% wage boost in the. very first year of the arrangement and a compounded wage increase of. 23% over the term of the contract.

(source: Reuters)