Airline calls ALPA demands 'unreasonable,' says latest offer includes 59% salary increase over five years
Air Transat is moving ahead with a gradual shutdown of its operations after pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued a 72‑hour strike notice, setting the stage for a potential work stoppage later this week.
The notice, served under the Canada Labour Code, allows pilots to strike as early as 3:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
“There is still time to avoid a strike but unless significant progress is made at the bargaining table, we will strike if that’s what it takes to achieve a modern contract,” said Capt. Bradley Small, chair of the Air Transat Master Executive Council (MEC) under ALPA.
“No pilot wants to strike, but Air Transat management has left us no choice,” added Small. “Months of unproductive bargaining ends now. If we cannot reach an agreement, management will be responsible for every cancelled flight and stranded passenger.”
ALPA, which represents Air Transat’s pilots, says the group has been bargaining for nearly a year to replace its 2015 collective agreement. The union is calling for what it describes as a “modern contract” with industry‑standard pay, benefits, work rules and job security.
According to the pilots’ union, 99% of roughly 750 pilots voted to authorise their leadership to call a strike if necessary.
The recent request by Air Canada flight attendants to go straight to arbitration signals a shift in labour relations in Canada; according to one Canadian academic, it’s a level of union mobilization not seen in “several decades.”
‘Strike notice is premature’
In the face of the pending strike, Air Transat disputes ALPA’s account of the talks and says it has already made substantial moves at the table.
“This strike notice is premature given the progress made at the bargaining table and the generous offers made by Air Transat,” said Julie Lamontagne, Chief Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility and Communications Officer.
“We have demonstrated a serious commitment throughout the process and a sincere willingness to reach an agreement by proposing several compromises and improvements that address the pilots’ demands,” she said. “Despite these efforts, ALPA has shown no openness, and the discussions have not led to an agreement.”
Lamontagne criticised the timing of the notice, issued during a busy travel period, and questioned the union’s approach.
“It is regrettable that the union has expressed such indifference toward Transat, its employees and clients by choosing the path of a strike at this time of year—a reckless decision that does not reflect the state of negotiations,” she said. “While our priority is now to take care of our customers, we remain committed to the process in order to conclude a negotiated agreement.”
According to the company, the parties have already completed “a complete overhaul of the collective agreement” and reached agreement on all standard clauses. Air Transat says its latest offer includes a 59% salary increase over five years, along with “major improvements” to pilots’ working conditions.
The airline characterises the union’s outstanding demands as “unreasonable” and warns that the dispute has “serious consequences for customers, the company, and its 4,300 other employees.”
Federal Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu “is monitoring the situation closely” and urges both sides to come to an agreement, a press secretary for the minister said, according to a report.
“We understand how the situation can be stressful for Canadians as the holidays approach,” Jennifer Kozelj told CBC. “Federal mediators continue to work with the parties. Canadians are counting on all parties.”
In October, Air Canada announced it was reducing its management workforce by roughly 400 positions, or about 1% of its total staff.
Gradual shutdown and repatriation plan
With the legal notice period now running, Air Transat says it must move quickly to avoid the operational chaos and safety risks of an abrupt work stoppage.
“Following this notice from the union, Air Transat must immediately begin planning for the cancellation of its flights and the repatriation of passengers, crews, and aircraft to prevent them from being stranded abroad if the strike occurs,” the company said. “The goal is to bring back everyone to their point of origin.”
The carrier says flights will be progressively cancelled starting December 8, with a full suspension of operations by December 9 if no settlement is reached. It “deeply regrets the impact this disruption will have on travellers during this busy period,” but stresses that its “priority is to minimise disruption for customers.”
