Air Transat reported progress in talks with the pilots’ union, although disagreements persist over wage increases. The airline’s recent proposal to the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. includes a 59% wage hike over five years alongside significant enhancements to working conditions. However, ALPA Canada’s president, Capt. Tim Perry, refuted this figure as inaccurately stated by the airline, indicating that they would have accepted a 59% offer if true, emphasizing responsibility to their members.
Dave Bourdages, Air Transat’s VP of flight operations, defended the 59% average wage increase, acknowledging variations within pay scales based on experience. The airline and the union were approached by CBC to clarify the wage hike discrepancy, with Air Transat’s senior director of communications, Andréan Gagné, affirming the offer aims to boost total compensation by an average of 59% across pay scales over five years.
Negotiations for a new collective agreement, initiated in January, are ongoing between the parties, with pilots ready to strike as early as Wednesday. ALPA issued a 72-hour strike notice, prompting Air Transat to prepare for potential disruptions. Both sides expressed commitment to reaching a consensus to avoid operational disruptions, with Air Transat urging the union to consider their substantial offer.
As of now, flights scheduled for December 8 will proceed as planned, with Air Transat warning of a potential operational wind-down if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday. The focus of the negotiations encompasses various issues such as wages, benefits, work regulations, and job stability. ALPA Canada’s Vice President, Capt. Louis-Éric Mongrain, highlighted the narrowing gap in negotiations and emphasized the preference for mutually agreed deals over arbitration to benefit all parties involved.
The parties are striving to replace the 2015 agreement that lapsed in April, with a looming strike deadline on Wednesday. Mongrain stressed the importance of avoiding arbitration to foster mutually beneficial agreements negotiated at the table for the benefit of the public and labor in Canada.
