Canada's Government Steps In: WestJet Strike Averted Before Holiday Rush

Canada's federal government intervened to prevent a strike by maintenance engineers at WestJet Airlines. Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan ordered binding arbitration to avoid flight cancellations before Canada Day. Despite ongoing tensions, the union will comply with the order amid demands for better work conditions and salaries.

Canada's federal government intervened on Thursday to prevent a strike by maintenance engineers at WestJet Airlines, the country's second-largest carrier, to avoid more flight cancellations ahead of a busy holiday weekend.

Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan said he had ordered the country's industrial relations board to impose final binding arbitration in the dispute between the airline and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. "The parties still remain far apart today, and tensions have only increased," he said in a statement.

The union said there was no modern precedent for the move, adding it would comply with the order and direct its members to refrain from any unlawful job action. WestJet said on Wednesday it had begun canceling flights ahead of the strike, which could have started on Friday. Monday is Canada Day, one of the country's most important holidays.

WestJet, which is backed by Onex Corp and competes with Air Canada, has been facing demands from employees for better working conditions and higher salaries.