In a news release, the Calgary-based airline said it had cancelled 832 flights as of Sunday as a result of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association’s “unnecessary work stoppage.”
On Sunday alone, the airline grounded 424 flights. WestJet said it continues to seek intervention and is exploring “every possible avenue for resolution.”
“We continue to hold our view that the current strike serves no purpose other than to inflict maximum damage to our airline and the country,” said airline president Diederik Pen in the news release. Some 680 workers, whose daily inspections and repairs are essential to airline operations, walked off the job on Friday evening despite a directive from the federal labour minister Seamus O’Regan calling for binding arbitration.
