The WestJet mechanics and engineers did not ratify their tentative agreements after 9 months of negotiations. On Monday, WestJet formally applied to the Canadian Industrial Relation Board and the Minister of Labour for a 3rd Party arbitration. In response to the application, the 2 unions issued a strike notification to begin tomorrow (June 20).
WestJet has already began cancelling or consolidating flights while they await word from the Relation Board and Ministry of Labour.
I’m supposed to fly out of Toronto on WestJet on Sunday morning but that is looking like it may not possibly happen now. Ughhhhh.

Ollie--oh NO! Have you looked about trying to book flights on another airline? Best wishes.

Carol, nope, sticking my head in the sand and hoping for the best.

OK, best wishes! Hoping things go well for you. Say Hi to Jules for us!!

Just my guess on this. They are cancelling flights but I'm thinking since sundays & Thursdays are the only 2 days to st Maarten right now they likely won't cancel those.
Fingers crossed for you!!

According to news reports tonight, WestJet is cancelling flights before the strike begins in order to prevent passengers from getting stranded after the strike begins.

Good news,
Westjet and the unionized mechanics have agreed to resume talks, and the strike action is no longer happening at this time.

Drphilsxm

Thanks Doc and because we have an home owner close to our home arriving today.

Phil--thanks for posting! Looks like you should be OK, Paul!!

Just a further note for travellers here in Toronto, the security screening personnel could also strike in the next day or so.
Just a heads up, I would go to the airport a little early.

Drphilsxm

Thanks Dr Phil, I did not realize that about the screening personnel. We pretty much abide by the 3 hour rule before an international flight.

The security screening personnel have reached a tentative settlement at Toronto Pearson, so hopefully that threat is also off the table.

I received an email from WestJet overnight and the resumed talks broke down quickly. The mechanic’s union gave strike notice and in response WestJet issued a lockout notice for Friday.
WestJet goes on to say “This notice does not mean travel disruption will occur, however if necessary to manage the impacts, we could prepare to operate a reduced schedule and proactively make changes and cancellations…A work stoppage could occur as early as Friday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. MT as a result, unless an agreement is reached or the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) orders arbitration.”

Stuck in Paradise,
Ollieeh

Wow, Paul, sounds like a bad situation. Try to soldier on!!

Well, at least you are already down there. There are definitely worse places to be stuck! Enjoy.

This whole union mess with WestJet seems to be a real gong show. The union bargaining committee keeps coming to terms and then the rank-and-file keep rejecting the negotiated settlement. I sure hope they know what they are doing and don't have unrealistic expectations, or they may just end up shooting themselves in the foot.

I have guests arriving today on Westjet. Their flight is on time and is on the way. A bit early. Doesn’t seem to have any impact on the St Maarten flights

Drphilsxm

Phil--good for your clients! Perhaps not so good for Ollie! Guess you might have to go home after all!

According to this story, no flights were being cancelled YET, but they will start to be cancelled as of today.

Link

Just an update for those who fly Westjet.
The Federal Government has ordered binding arbitration between Westjet and the mechanics union. The Canada Industrial Relations Board will arbitrate a binding settlement between the parties
That ends any chance of a strike.

Drphilsxm

CBC is reporting that despite the order the mechanics have gone on strike

Despite the law they just went on strike.

Today everything changed for the worst and they are on strike again with all flights cancelled. They have chosen a very busy holiday week- end to get their point across!

Yep, mechanics commenced strike action 7:30 pm ET. WestJet is asking for immediate intervention by the Minister of Labour and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.
Oh woe is me. Stick in paradise at the moment.
There’s going to be a lot of unhappy people this Canada Day long weekend.

I guess this is the world we live in these days.
it looks like WestJet flight 2652 to SXM tomorrow on Sunday is still a go.

Drphilsxm

it looks like there are a bunch of Westjet flights enroute to their destinations

Ollie--when are you supposed to go home? You've only been there a week haven't you?

it looks like nobody can be pleased. The security screening officers at Toronto Pearson airport rejected the tentative agreement with their employer yesterday. That means they could possibly strike as well.

Drphilsxm

We are (supposed) to come home July 7th. This has been a real rollercoaster. We will just go with the flow. No stress one way or the other.

Side note: had pastries tonight from Sebastien Quillere Pâtisserie in Mont Vernon. Neither my wife or I can even put into words how good it was…Ohmygawd…

My wife and I stopped there on our last trip and loved Sébastien's. We bought pastries on the way to Orient Beach for the afternoon and picked them up on our way back to the Dutch side. They have a new chocolate pastry called Le Baba Au Rhum / The Baba Rhum, next time on island I'm buying 2.

From bad to worse.
Westjet cancelled today’s flight to SXM.

Drphilsxm

Yikes, it’s getting real.
I guess I just wait until I hear from them. They’re obligated to get me home and I’ve read that it’s best to refuse a payout. Time to start educating myself about this situation.

Today's flight is cancelled and we have a Family with their Baby suppose to fly to St.Maarten , sad .

Good luck, Paul!

How is the trip going otherwise??

Carol, trip is great yet uneventful due to sand gravity. We seem to have a sudden pastry addiction. Back to the patisserie to stock up…lol. Dinners at La Villa and Le Cottage so far with L’Auberge on the menu tonight I think.

Sounds great!! Carry on!!

Hopefully it will be settled by July 7. Negotiating positively today, so we will see.

Our client for today rebooked with JetBlue for Tuesday coming to the Island.

Well, they’ve reached a tentative agreement (again). WestJet says it will immediately try to restore the network but some flights could be impacted over the week as they position aircraft and crew back into position.

Well I hope this is good news. According to my Westjet pilot insiders, they believe that this tentative agreement will be accepted. They say that if Westjet had offered what is in this agreement a week ago, all this may have been avoided on one of the busiest travel weekends. Fingers crossed. I also have guests leaving on Westjet 2652 Sunday, July 7 so let’s hope for the best.

Drphilsxm