WESTJET’S BRINKMANSHIP: RESPOND TO CONTRACT REJECTION WITH INCREASE OF LESS THAN 1%
AIRCRAFT MECHANICS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION
National Office: 7853 E. Arapahoe Court, Suite 1100 • Centennial, CO 80112Tel: 303.752.AMFA (2632) • Fax: 303.362.7736
On June 11, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) reported that WestJet’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) had rejected the Company’s contract proposal by 97.5%.
WestJet responded by agreeing to negotiations on June 19–20, then reneging on that commitment. The Company cancelled negotiations in favour of a litigation strategy pursuant to which it accused its AMEs of industrial sabotage and seeks to impose the rejected contract proposal by government fiat. To date, that strategy has failed.
WestJet agreed to return to the table on June 25–26 only in response to AMFA’s strike notice of June 17. Once WestJet agreed to resume negotiations, AMFA withdrew its strike notice.
These negotiations resumed under inauspicious circumstances. WestJet’s CEO had made public statements that there would be no economic improvements. The Company has asserted to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) that further negotiations would be a futility. Nevertheless, AMFA believes in the parties’ mutual obligation to make every reasonable effort to reach an agreement.
On the morning of June 25, AMFA submitted its proposal presenting terms that, according to membership surveys, would achieve contract ratification and labour peace. We then waited seven hours for a response.
WestJet counter-proposed an economic enhancement of less than 1% at the cost of an extended contract term — the effective affirmation of the Company’s previous public statements that it would refuse to engage in meaningful negotiations with respect to economic issues.
AMFA Negotiators worked into the evening and submitted a counter-proposal.
We also, reluctantly, submitted the AMEs’ 72-hour strike notice in the hope that it will prompt WestJet to provide its employees with a good faith offer. One hour later, WestJet issued a second 72-hour lockout notice in kind.
Strike or no strike, AMFA will always be available for negotiations. We have agreed to extend negotiations in Toronto through the end of this week and resume in Calgary next week if necessary.
Labour peace cannot be obtained through litigation and false accusations.
Fraternally,
AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee
