(Reuters) – Canadian airline WestJet Airlines said on Thursday it was working to resume normal operations after the union representing its maintenance engineers lifted a strike notice, with both sides agreeing to return to the negotiating table.
WestJet, which is backed by Onex Corp and competes with Air Canada, is facing demands from employees for better working conditions and higher salaries.
WestJet is now trying to resume normal operations after the airline said Wednesday that 40 flights will be canceled during June 18-19, affecting 6,500 customers.
The two parties appeared before the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to discuss the dispute between the carrier and the Aircraft Mechanics Association (AMFA).
The CIRB said it would require additional time and submissions from both parties before deciding whether arbitration is necessary, WestJet said.
The union, which was scheduled to go on strike at 9 p.m. EST on Thursday, has canceled its notice, the company said.
“By returning to the negotiating table, we are committed to finding a solution to avoid further disruption to our operations,” Dedrick Penn, WestJet’s president and group chief operating officer, said in a statement.
