WestJet issues 72-hour lockout notification to union

(Reuters) -Onex Corp's WestJet on Saturday said that it issued a 72-hour lockout notification to the union representing its maintenance engineers, the ‍Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.

The company said that a work stoppage could occur as early as Tuesday unless a deal is reached with AMFA.

"Both parties are still in talks hoping to reach an agreement prior to the lockout," Bret Oestreich, president of the union said in a statement.

Canada's Labor Minister Seamus O'Regan said the government received WestJet's lockout notice. In a post on social media platform X, O'Regan said, "Federal mediators are supporting the parties to reach a deal at the bargaining table."

The 72-hour lockout notice does not mean travel disruption will occur, WestJet said in a statement, adding that in the coming days it will take necessary action to manage impacts.

WestJet said it will prepare to operate a reduced schedule, manage changes and cancellations and provide flexible change and cancel options to customers.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Cynthia OstermanEditing by Nick Zieminski)