WestJet technicians file unfair labour practice charges to counter ‘reduction in maintenance oversight’

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) — which represents WestJet Airlines’ aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) — has taken legal action against the airline, filing unfair labor practice charges with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). According to an AMFA press release, the dispute centres around WestJet’s creation of the new position of operations manager (OM) and the subsequent transfer of safety-sensitive maintenance coordination work that was previously performed by bargaining unit members. In an official complaint filed by AMFA against WestJet on Dec. 11, the union requested that CIRB become involved with the matter “due to the impact on aviation safety arising from WestJet’s elimination of the aircraft maintenance lead (AML) and inspection crew lead (ICL) positions, and the transfer of bargaining unit work to the newly created operations manager (OM) position.” CIRB certified AMFA as the representative of WestJet’s AMEs and other aircraft maintenance employees on March 30, 2023. WestJet announced the creation of the OM position in mid-April, according to the AMFA complaint, which has since sparked tensions within the airline’s maintenance operations — leading to concerns about impacts on safety culture. AMFA’s charges allege that WestJet’s unilateral decisions have caused “disarray within maintenance operations and hostility among co-workers whose integrated efforts are critical to maintenance safety culture.” The union also claims that the airline’s actions violate the law by making changes to working conditions without prior negotiations with the union, especially concerning the transfer of work outside the bargaining unit.<br/>