WestJet mechanics reject deal in 'deeply concerning' move, airline president says

The union representing mechanics at WestJet says members voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative agreement with the airline.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, which represents some 670 aircraft maintenance engineers and other skilled trade positions at the carrier, says about 97 per cent of its members cast a ballot against the deal.

WestJet says the result does not affect operations, but company president Diederik Pen called the result "deeply concerning."

Pen says the deal would have made employees the best-paid airplane mechanics in the country after "challenging" negotiations toward their first collective agreement.

In a release on Tuesday, union president Bret Oestreich disputed that claim, stating that WestJet's final offer was more than 30 per cent below the prevailing rate at North American carriers.

The union has cited wages, outsourcing, scheduling and layoff protection as central issues in the bargaining process.

Oestreich also said his members reported feeling that the airline engaged in bad faith bargaining. 

The two sides reached a tentative deal on May 6, two days after WestJet issued a 72-hour lockout notice to mechanics following their announcement of a strike vote.