WestJet CEO, president condemn "absurd" mechanics' union strike, address flight cancellations

WestJet CEO, president condemn "absurd" mechanics' union strike, address flight cancellations | FULL

Рет қаралды 14,917

3 күн бұрын

WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech and President Diederik Pen issued statements from the airline's Calgary headquarters on Saturday morning, condemning a sudden and "absurd" strike by the union maintaining the company's planes on Friday.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) announced its members started to strike at around 5:30 p.m. (MT) on Friday in response to the airline’s “unwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.”
The result? At least 235 flight cancellations on Saturday morning, impacting roughly 33,000 WestJet customers. This is something von Hoensbroech and Pen said could get worse if no solution is met by the "early afternoon," meaning at least another 150 flights could be cancelled.
The strike comes after the Canadian federal government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration on Thursday. The order also followed two weeks of turbulent discussions with the union on a new deal.
"The CIRB [Canada Industrial Relations Board] and AMFA, who has gone on strike, have actually not followed what minister [Travel Minister Seamus O'Regan Jr.] wanted, which is industrial peace. And the resolution of this on an arbitrator basis. So, we are now faced with a situation that makes it extremely difficult for our guests, and that we only throw in difficulties and the magnitude as we progress through time," von Hoensbroech said.
"I will be taking additional steps to protect the interests of the employer, the union and all Canadians travelling over this national holiday weekend," O'Regan wrote in a post to X on Saturday morning.
For more info, please go to globalnews.ca/news/10596065/w...
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Пікірлер: 151

@cloudstrife9781 2 күн бұрын

The union is on strike however WJ has also locked out its union members at the same time making WJ liable, WJ has also walked away multiple times from the union refusing to negotiate. It’s still within WJs power to continue the 7% split on wage difference, AMFA has come down from 40% ( which WJ CEO said they were giving a month ago) to 19%, WJ has gone from 8% to 12.5% and walked away saying AMEs are being unreasonable despite being one of the lowest paid trades with one of the highest responsibilities. This is all despite giving Pilots a 35%-50% raise just less than a month ago. WJ is causing this to avoid paying a living wage, even though its industry leading 1% higher than Air Canada mechanics, it still comes extremely low compared to what AMEs do and deserve.

@evelynford6860 Күн бұрын

Good info.They should give more respect with a better pay.Seeing the Pilot couldn't fly thr pay without them making sure all is Portable.

@user-qr3ce5my3m Күн бұрын

Well said. These two clowns have been acting disingenuously at best during this whole thing while playing victim in front of the media.

@C00LWhip 2 күн бұрын

Just shows airplanes don't fly with out AMEs signing them off as airworthy. Unions are much needed in the Aviation maintenance field. The forgotten AMEs that make less then car mechanics, heavy duty mechanics and other trades. But they have the knowledge on how to keep a +100million dollar life support machine in the air, safely.

@zachthomas5272 Күн бұрын

As an AMT (American) I appreciate your respect for our craft.

@datsunlambchops4624 2 күн бұрын

I have a friend who moved here from the uk,and he is flabbergasted by the level of Canadian corruption at nearly every level that he has had to deal with in the last 3 years. Its actually insane.

@semiramis47 Күн бұрын

I lived and worked in the UK for 2 decades - you're friend must have been asleep at the wheel if he didn't notice the appalling level of corruption there that makes Canadian scammers look like amateurs - especially during the time of Labour, 'the party of bent bankers and benefits cheats' who trousered loads of dosh

@MaidenHelll 16 сағат бұрын

Not to mention actual Canadians

@semiramis47 2 күн бұрын

the union must be taking a page from worstjets playbook - for the company to say its outraged by the union ignoring the government when worstjet's been thumbing its nose at the government and its passenger protection laws for years is a bit rich - no doubt the union has noticed the government is impotent and has done nothing to hold the airline accountable

@goldminer83 2 күн бұрын

Westjet should maybe pay their employees then.....

@Hoovie9596 Күн бұрын

I worked for them for 13 years. We were savagely underpaid

@vincevincent6984 Күн бұрын

Quit your belly aching everyone from every industry is underpaid 😭 .

@CookiesCritterCare Күн бұрын

$109,000 + and 22% increase is not good pay???? Go work at mcds, youre not worth more @Hoovie9596

@chernobylcat581 2 күн бұрын

Two rich Europeans standing up saying how they care about common Canadian travellers 🙄

@timeandmaterialsdanforth5511 Күн бұрын

Ya. Pretty much eh.. I'm sure Canadians on the whole understand..

@nonasmith2405 2 күн бұрын

He considers workers rights absurd? Sad

@chriscatherwood4806 2 күн бұрын

Pay your staff more and your shareholders a little less. Stand with the unions never the corporations.

@wyzec3956 2 күн бұрын

Maybe take the money from the executives multii million $$ bonus’. Why should we flip the bill for the rich to get richer if they didn’t manage their responsibility properly bcs any bailout usually goes to them. People are starting to see the constant corruption

@EatingMind 2 күн бұрын

These two sociopaths seem oblivious to how human relationships work

@dcharby35 2 күн бұрын

Pay your mechanics properly, you clowns.

@samidan91 2 күн бұрын

Did these 2 guys wake up this morning?And decide on what they're going to wear together

@letmedietomorrow Күн бұрын

I'd like to know how these CEOs expect to have employees continue working without enough wages to support themselves?

@chrleschan8790 Күн бұрын

can u support your statement. what's their salary? I just know it's not minimum wage.

@letmedietomorrow Күн бұрын

@@chrleschan8790 All they want is for their wages to keep up with inflation and for the company to hire enough people for proper safety maintenance. Currently, they are overworked and underpaid. This is not only for workers, but also for the safety of customers. We should not tolerate profit squeezing which knock planes out of the sky.

@DRPL766 2 күн бұрын

This is karma for treating everyone terribly. Have a nice long weekend WestJet

@leolinehan2752 2 күн бұрын

If they were doing "everything in their power" then they would pay their workers a fair wage and all flights would be on time

@pilotgirl5953 Күн бұрын

There is a lot more to the story than just wages for a long time now Westjet has not been a great place to work

@chadt7821 Күн бұрын

Then leave.

@neondeon475 Күн бұрын

worst airline in Canada.

@user-qr3ce5my3m Күн бұрын

@@chadt7821 People ARE leaving. But it ultimately affects the canadian traveller. Wake up.

@dabidibup 2 күн бұрын

After seeing Boeing’s problems I think flyers may side more with the mechanics

@neondeon475 Күн бұрын

Meanwhile......theftjet is still selling tickets for cancelled flights. Absolutely criminal.

@davidroberts2777 2 күн бұрын

Stick it to the suits. Non of the suits have any interest in giving up their benefits. Aircraft without engineers are just display items.

@dallasklarenbach2674 2 күн бұрын

What ever happened to the profit sharing WJ employees used to receive .I will bet the executives still got there bulging bonus.

@a.m.4467 2 күн бұрын

In December 2019, WestJet Airlines was acquired by Kestrel Bidco Inc., a subsidiary of Onex Corporation. This acquisition resulted in WestJet transitioning from a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "WJA" to a private company.

@Hoovie9596 Күн бұрын

I worked for them 2007-2020. We still have (had) profit share. It’s for the employees mainly

@alohashamanarts Күн бұрын

@@a.m.4467and from that point on WestJet service and quality plummeted faster than a rock tossed into the water! A wonderful airline died that day.

@glennsmith1040 2 күн бұрын

What's your salary Johnny? "Doing everything we can?" Get back to the table. By the way what do you know about internal labour politics?

@judiphillips286 Күн бұрын

How about getting the big bosses some greasy overalls and get them to do the work,with the same time schedule, same pay and benefits.. I'm living in a fantasy world. We all deserve a decent living wage, we all help keep the world ticking one way or another.. power to the people❤❤❤❤❤

@ShuswapLivin Күн бұрын

I support the Mechanics!!!

@lilaclots6919 Күн бұрын

Give microphone to the other side. Give microphone to the Union.

@Imperiouswreckz 2 күн бұрын

Doing everything but paying people

@Jimanderson124 Күн бұрын

All this mess for 8 million dollar investment to mechanics. What a joke

@Koolass598 Күн бұрын

Same guy who took Austrians pandemic aid and paid their managers hefty bonuses 🤷‍♂️

@user-qr3ce5my3m Күн бұрын

I hear he's known for being a real piss tank on conference calls.

@sylviemenard4169 2 күн бұрын

I would like to hear from the point of view of the mechanics!

@Jacko0_0 Күн бұрын

I imagine if they just stopped paying this guy they could really afford the raise.

@chadt7821 Күн бұрын

I read that these union employees are the highest paid in the industry. Let them go bankrupt and fire them all.

@C00LWhip Күн бұрын

@@chadt7821 a severally underpaid industry for the responsibility of maintaining a +100 million dollar life support flying machine . Tons of responsibility, no respect because typically AMEs dont speak up for themselves and just keep the operation going behind the scenes. And now we are, and management and the public are now noticing us.

@Avi-on5jp 2 күн бұрын

“AMFA has offered to meet, at any time and any place, to resume negotiations. WestJet has not responded. That is the truth.” “The truth is that, in response to WestJet’s demand that our action be declared unlawful, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, on June 28, stated in stark terms: [T]he Board heard arguments from the parties on the effect of the binding arbitration directed by the ministerial referral on the union’s right to strike … [T]he Board finds that the ministerial referral does not have the effect of suspending the right to strike or lockout… WestJet has issued a lockout notice, which it has not rescinded. Similarly, we are exercising our constitutional right to withhold our labour.”

@BCgalwithattitude 2 күн бұрын

So in the terms WestJet is at fault for stranded passengers because they unconstitutionally allowed locked out all said parties that work them which you could take to court and win.

@peterjensen9218 Күн бұрын

You both are gonna get fired!😂

@neondeon475 Күн бұрын

I would never work for them. Pure corporate greed, they have destroyed this airline. We dont fly them anymore. Imagine trying to blame the workers, bunch of clowns. Our province alone has given them millions of our dollars this year. Crooks.

@dollarroll2000 23 сағат бұрын

Don't pretend that you care about how this affects Canadians. You only care about your bottomline.

@AC-zt2ky 2 күн бұрын

WestJet is a total joke. They constantly abandon their customers with no way to get home. And then deny compensation

@Governor-General.of.Qanada 2 күн бұрын

Already halfway through. I assume you're going to interview the union and get their perspective too in the second half for fairness and balance?

@trail2peak Күн бұрын

Their wage increases doesn't even cover the loss to inflation from the last 4 years. AC mechanics are stuck in a stale contract, obviously it'll be surpassing them. This is in you WJ, pay your mechanics! Don't play the victim game, own up to your errors, you've allowed it to come to this.

@tomclancy9817 7 сағат бұрын

These two should be fired

@dorscher25 Күн бұрын

It's not nice to treat your "guests" with the ultra basic fare. It's not nice to run to the government to fix your problems. It's not nice to blame your mechanics for everything.

@deanbritton7917 Күн бұрын

Stop stealing airplanes from your competition then lying about it

@timeandmaterialsdanforth5511 Күн бұрын

That's the point of a strike. It is to go afrer the income they make for you in their role in your campany. They are protesting the fact they were ordered to arbitration instead of beint allowed to negotiate for themselves..

@merima3276 Күн бұрын

We couldn’t find Canadian man or woman to be CEO of Canadian company, what is wrong with this country.

@chrleschan8790 Күн бұрын

@StohnJanley Күн бұрын

Westjet used to be a great airline. My family was booked on WS419 for the Volleyball Canada Nationals in Edmonton back in May. Toronto to Edmonton. The flight was delayed, delayed, delayed, then cancelled 12 hours after it was supposed to depart. Westjet flew us to Saskatoon at 10:30PM and we had to sleep in the airport overnight, then we got to Edmonton on a commuter prop jobby the next morning. We were out over $500.00 for hotel and car rental, plus we missed a day in Edmonton. When my wife filed a claim they said GFY. So we are flying to Calgary in September for a family event...on Porter. Westjet, you can GFY. We will never, ever, ever, ever fly on Westjet, ever again.

@Bragg-WRC123 Күн бұрын

Stranded in LAX. Never ever flying westjet again. This used to be a decent airline.

@nwc3270 Күн бұрын

Use to be a great airline till the unions got ahold of it

@Hoovie9596 Күн бұрын

We are stuck in PHX.

@TRANSPORTCANADAGURU Күн бұрын

This is 100% on the management/executive team. Shame on the greedy executives!

@weiweiy4009 2 күн бұрын

Well. How’s is this happen? No one wants to see it even mechanic doesn’t want to see this the point is people can not live under this wage anymore thanks to this government inflation and low wage pays

@chernobylcat581 Күн бұрын

So DP is offering hotel vouchers as a goodwill gesture?

@bosvarkutube 7 сағат бұрын

A category 4 hurricane is hitting the leeward islands this morning where people are stranded because they could not get out. I personally had to drive an arduous and risky 12 hour journey because my flight was cancelled. to the engineers who went on strike, thank you for putting peoples lives at risk you idiots .

@clarvebiker3175 Күн бұрын

Pay up, Fritz!

@olliepollock5394 Күн бұрын

Hearing a lot of apologies and excuses in general these days, is Canada broken?

@alohashamanarts Күн бұрын

His outrage is mostly because he’s afraid this will affect his obscene salary and bonuses!

@tam9877 Күн бұрын

how come they are not in the position?

@CookiesCritterCare Күн бұрын

You screwed me out of a flight back in 2019!!!! I doubt youll be paying anyone their refunds. Be gone now!!

@juniorthorkelson 2 күн бұрын

You spent years underpaying your employees. TIME FOR CHANGE WESTJET!!!

@easypeasy2899 4 сағат бұрын

Give both of your salary to the workers

@langleyj8199 Күн бұрын

This is what happens when a great company that has employees as owners goes corporate. Enter sleazy unions. Customers come last as do hotels, restaurants and tour operators with cancellations

@neemapeter4231 Күн бұрын

I am stuck in Calgary anyone received any update?? or alternative flight options??

@rustycoones9452 2 күн бұрын

This is what happens when government doesn’t allow competition in Canada and we’re forced to only have two garbage airlines

@BCgalwithattitude 2 күн бұрын

He should take his stupidity elsewhere you lose money nothing is flying the public gets mad already there is a striking union at YVR this compounds everything you leave people high and dry blame mechanics who ask for more mechanics or new parts you used to be better than Air Canada now you look like Air Canada.

@user-pk3pn4dr3v Күн бұрын

It’s always something with these airlines

@jeremyphoenix1366 Күн бұрын

Never flying west jet again. Ever.

@itsjaynguyen Күн бұрын

Just pay your guys and get on with it.

@iseiyoulaitre 3 сағат бұрын

Way to go guys. Hope you got what you're asking in a good collective agreement.

@MeV-DLoner 17 сағат бұрын

question: who are your staffing managers and branch managers who manage people. hope they can answers why the union strik. the big boss got the blame because how the managers manage people

@wyzec3956 2 күн бұрын

It isn’t a surprise. I was waiting at a light yesterday morning waiting to cross as some girl beside me received a call from Westjet saying her flight was cxl. She said she booked a long time ago so if they over booked it should not be affecting her - from what I heard they said no the flight was not over booked

@easypeasy2899 4 сағат бұрын

Both your suits look expensive, sell them and use that money to pay those workers

@AG-hl1ni 2 күн бұрын

We stand with the workers! My flight is cancelled but I understand.

@wayneboyd4372 Күн бұрын

WestJet shutting down wouldn't be a bad thing - people would lose their jobs (those in demand will find other jobs), Air Canada prices will go up (well, the haters must see that coming WestJet goes under), etc. As long as consumers and ex-employees do NOT complain because if they did, they were the cause LOL

@rboddington Күн бұрын

West Jet is a joke of an airline on a good day, I wouldn't fly with them if the tickets were free.

@user-zb1ri9fn3n 2 күн бұрын

Solar activity have anything to do with flight cancellation? Northern Lights affecting things?

@MAC_6.7 Сағат бұрын

This is all over arrogance and ego. They were apart only 6 million bucks. The strike was lawful, CIRB confirmed this twice. Pay your engineers you cheapskates!

@devildevil2271 Күн бұрын

Cheapskate Rich travellers but poor workers

@panasazov8200 Күн бұрын

Defund fat Global News and pay WestJet mechanics' union Viva teamsters

@briandufoe3719 Күн бұрын

This CEO is a jerk,an outraged jerk, Passengers are outraged everyday of the week flying with WestJet, There's a reason why WJ is at the bottom of the list for north american airlines in quality.

@kristinavb4398 Күн бұрын

Westjet must pay all employees by all means! CEO makes milion and strike is reasonable. Shame on you, greedy corporat rats!

@ghadi202X 2 күн бұрын

This guy is like the Boeing CEO

@constantinkwiatkowski1940 2 күн бұрын

Love the union go on strike your job and work are essential stupid ceo and mangment cut their salaries and give the money to employees

@chadt7821 Күн бұрын

These unionized mechanics get over 170k per year. The greed...

@littlelittle5 Күн бұрын

How many hours do they have to work to get 170k?

@CookiesCritterCare Күн бұрын

@@littlelittle5normal hours

@Mark_J_on_guitar 18 сағат бұрын

Well, look at the stubborn, over compensated, little bullying rich boys. Don't be fooled by the nonsense. These type of decadent henchmen don't care about their guests. It is always, always about the bottom line. Their tragic story is they finally, now legally, have to give back the money to customers. Start fixing this problem by applying this serious concern to those that actually make the planes fly. Yes money is important but nothing happens without mechanics, machinists that train their whole careers. Look what Boeing did to the workers that wanted to make sure planes were safe.

@brian8986 2 күн бұрын

To a rouge European exec team

@davidgromoll3654 Күн бұрын

Not just because of a strike but your lack of negotiating, get it fixed man or you will lose the faith we have had in your airline, Porter and Air Canada are doing a good job, if they can manage so can you.

@rjdphy3082 Күн бұрын

Go Mechanics !!

@bRad-ns6iy 2 күн бұрын

Hire the Boeing factory mechanics to step in.

@humbertolopez2627 Күн бұрын

Is necessary and disappointing because they get their ceo sallary

@Belfran 2 күн бұрын

Other than paying fair...first pilots, now mechanics...wondering why. As top management showing shrugged shoulders doesn't look like negotiating but, blaming the other team and assigning others the responsibility of running your company. Couldn't hear contingency plan or deadlines for next steps, you sold the tickets, can't come back crying foul and leave customers stranded!

@bccoaster8533 Күн бұрын

Pay them a lot more , they actually keep the planes in the air , unlike unless top heavy ceo bureaucrats.

@Kim-lg8qv Күн бұрын

Who cares

@jessicasimplicioreis3824 2 күн бұрын

Alguém assistindo??😊😊😊

@NORFUM 2 күн бұрын

DRAKE CANNOT RHYME LIKE ME

@Avi-on5jp 2 күн бұрын

THEY NOT LIKE US

@NORFUM 2 күн бұрын

@@Avi-on5jp I CAN RHYME LIKE BIGGIE AND EMINEM

@casinoman1982 2 күн бұрын

Reported

@FrmTBay 2 күн бұрын

Did you watch the video?Apparently WestJet offered an industry leading package and the union wants an industry changing package. Also, it’s gone to arbitration as they are saying, a strike serves no purpose. The public is being affected by the union, people’s lives with no skin in the game. I do belong to a union and I would not approve of this.

@cloudstrife9781 2 күн бұрын

It’s been sent to CIRB to facilitate arbitration, however negotiations are allowed to continue between WJ and AMFA at anytime, WJ executives refused to continue negotiations 2 days ago and refused to submit their counter offer despite being very close to an agreement. There was only a 7% different/8 million annually between the two and WJ just stopped negotiating in hopes the government would stop the strike. AMFA is requesting WJ to come back to the table and was forced to use the strike in an attempt again. This is 100% still in WJs hands to continue the negotiations and end this. They would rather lose millions a day then actually pay AMEs a livable wage which was far less than the actual salary increases they proudly awarded the pilots (35-50% wage increases which was just and needed)

@rhodson 2 күн бұрын

97.25% voted no with a 99% participation though

@emberlypalisoc4388 Күн бұрын

From what I heard from a friend that works there, at the beginning of the bargaining agreement, they took half of their benefits and added it to the "new improved pay". No wonder 97% of the employees rejected it.

@user-bx4fz7ys2i 2 күн бұрын

UNIONS ARE FOR LAZY WORKERS!! GET TO WORK!

@cskvision 2 күн бұрын

22% increase in pay over 4 years and they reject it and decide upending customer’s travel plans and ruin their Canada Day holidays is more fun. Who’s the greedy one here?

@brian8986 2 күн бұрын

Execs are skewing the facts. They forgot to mention the fact that any increase is at the expense of the employee's retirement savings.

@8jordan 2 күн бұрын

22% minus the 10% the shifted from retirement savings 🤣 sit down lol you know nothing

@spire107 Күн бұрын

@@8jordan Go to arbitration then. Quietly please.

@sp1pilot 2 күн бұрын

Union goes on strike, they should pay for 50% of the compensation to travelers... especially if bargaining is infront of an arbitrator.

@cloudstrife9781 2 күн бұрын

@oldskool1979 2 күн бұрын

Unions are a disrupter to life... be happy you have a good job !

@brian8986 2 күн бұрын

Be happy you have a maintenance team worried about your safety when you travel.

@888Longball 2 күн бұрын

Union just being nasty.

@Avi-on5jp 2 күн бұрын

How them boots taste?

@brian8986 2 күн бұрын

Westjets has been the one to quit the bargaining process each and every time.

@888Longball Күн бұрын

@@brian8986okay but how doesn't achieve anything?

@brian8986 Күн бұрын

@@888Longballnot sure what you'r trying to say there. The union has been willing to negotiate throughout, even with their differences. The company kept breaking off talks, and only returned to the table at the last minute to avoid a strike. And then asks the government to clean up their mess. The only one nasty in this is the executive team from WestJet