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 91裸聊视频渕aintain stability.91裸聊视频�

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 WestJet91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频渦nwillingness to negotiate with the union made the strike inevitable.91裸聊视频�

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 91裸聊视频渄oes not have the effect of suspending the right to strike or lockout.91裸聊视频�

WestJet says it91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频渆xtremely outraged at these actions and will hold AMFA 100 per cent accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred as a result.91裸聊视频�

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O91裸聊视频橰egan, who said the order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board was 91裸聊视频渃learly inconsistent91裸聊视频� with the direction he provided, weighed in again on Saturday, telling both parties to work together with the board to get a deal done.

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- with files from Christopher Reynolds in Montr茅al

The Canadian Press