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.
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.
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.
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.”
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Try to soldier on!!
