June 28, 2024
At 3:00 p.m. Eastern on June 28, 2024, AMFA and WestJet appeared before the Canada Industrial Relations Board to address the Referral by the Minister of Labour pursuant to section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. One key item addressed by both parties was the continued validity of the AMFA strike notice, with the strike set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees employees’ fundamental right to strike. AMFA counsel argued that because the referral by the Minister was silent on the issue, AMFA members’ constitutional right to strike must prevail. The Board had found only last week that AMFA’s right to strike persisted in the context of an analogous section 80 process.
The parties continued to discuss the arbitration process under section 107, both together and in separate breakout rooms. Time ticked toward the 7:30 p.m. Eastern strike deadline.
At 7:30 p.m. Eastern, having had no indication that the Board would revoke AMFA’s strike notice, AMFA directed its members to cease all work.
At approximately 8:00 p.m. Eastern, the Board reconvened the parties and confirmed that it would not enjoin the AMFA strike.
AMFA’s bargaining committee is standing by to continue discussions with the Company. The parties are separated by economic difference of approximately 7%, less than $8 million dollars a year.
AMFA urges it members to remain safe as they exit WestJet property.
Fraternally,
AMFA-WestJet Negotiating Committee
