MONTREAL — In a decisive show of solidarity, an overwhelming 99% of Air Transat’s pilots have voted in favor of a potential strike. This development was confirmed via the Air Transat Pilots-ALPA Facebook page, emphasizing the pilots’ commitment to securing a modern contract. The post stated, “Air Transat pilots have voted overwhelmingly in favor of going on strike if management fails to deliver our pilots with a modern contract.”
The announcement coincides with the opening of a strike center near Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL). This establishment will serve as the headquarters for the Air Line Pilots Association Int’l (ALPA), representing Air Transat’s pilots. It will facilitate crucial operations during a possible strike, including a call center and flight and pilot tracking, and will act as the primary meeting point for strike volunteers.
In response to these developments, Air Transat provided a statement to Profession Voyages, which emphasized their commitment to customer service. “Air Transat has taken note of the strike mandate obtained by the union representing our pilots, and we want to reassure our customers,” the airline stated. They reiterated that while this is a typical part of the collective bargaining process, it does not necessarily mean a strike is imminent.
Air Transat highlighted their ongoing efforts at the bargaining table and noted that “significant progress” has been made with the support of conciliators assigned by the Ministry of Labour. Their objective remains to negotiate a collective agreement that is fair to both parties, recognizing the contributions of pilots while considering market realities.
The airline further assured passengers that operations were continuing as planned: “At this time, our operations are running normally. Should the situation evolve differently, our teams would be dedicated to supporting our customers.”
Air Transat also released a message on their website, which included important directives for customers. They clarified that while the union has obtained a strike mandate, no formal strike notice has been issued, and negotiations are ongoing. Customers are encouraged to review the terms and conditions of their fare class if they wish to modify or cancel reservations.
In case a strike notice is filed and certain flights are canceled, Air Transat has committed to assisting customers in returning to their point of origin. This assistance may include new tickets on the next available flights or refunds for any unused portions of trips.
As the situation progresses, the 21-day cooling-off period will conclude on December 10. If the union decides to initiate a strike, they may provide a 72-hour notice on December 7, which could lead to preemptive cancellations to prepare for the December 10 date. Customers are urged to stay informed and monitor developments closely as the negotiations unfold.
