A sudden strike by the WestJet mechanics union is forcing the airline to cancel more flights over the Canada Day long weekend, disrupting the plans of more than 49,000 travellers.

The Calgary-based airline has already cancelled a total of 407 flights over the weekend in an effort to 害羞草研究所渕aintain stability.害羞草研究所�

Most of the flights were cancelled on Saturday, with 282 trips on WestJet planes being called off.

The travel disruptions come after the Airplane Mechanics Fraternal Association members walked off the job on Friday afternoon, stating WestJet害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渦nwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.害羞草研究所�

The job action comes after union members rejected a deal from WestJet earlier this month and after two weeks of tense negotiations between the two parties, which resulted in the federal government stepping in and mandating WestJet and the union go to binding arbitration.

AMFA leadership posted a letter from the Canada Industrial Relations Board regarding its decision in which it said that the ministerial referral 害羞草研究所渄oes not have the effect of suspending the right to strike or lockout.害羞草研究所�

WestJet says it害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渆xtremely outraged at these actions and will hold AMFA 100 per cent accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred as a result.害羞草研究所�

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O害羞草研究所橰egan, who said the order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board was 害羞草研究所渃learly inconsistent害羞草研究所� with the direction he provided, weighed in again on Saturday, telling both parties to work together with the board to get a deal done.

READ ALSO:

- with files from Christopher Reynolds in Montr茅al

The Canadian Press