(Reuters) – Canada’s WestJet Airlines began canceling flights again after the union representing its maintenance engineers rejected a new wage offer and served notice of a second strike, the airline said on Wednesday.
WestJet said the measure will result in the cancellation of approximately 25 flights from June 27 to 28 and will affect more than 3,300 travelers. Earlier in the day, the airline said the shutdown could happen as early as June 28.
It is unclear how long the strike may last.
WestJet, which is backed by Onex Corp and competes with Air Canada, is facing demands from employees for better working conditions and higher wages.
WestJet said it submitted a “Canadian industry-leading agreement” to the Fraternal Association of Aircraft Machinists (AMFA) that was better than a previous agreement that was rejected by the union earlier in the day.
The proposal, which was rejected, would have raised aircraft maintenance engineers’ wages by 22% over four years.
AMFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“What is particularly devastating is that the strike notice we received from AMFA forces us to begin canceling flights and grounding aircraft for the second time in a week,” said Diederik Pen, WestJet Airlines president and group chief operating officer.
The Calgary-based airline canceled 40 flights last week, affecting 6,500 customers, after the union sent it a 72-hour strike notice. On June 20, the union withdrew its strike notice and agreed to return to discussions.