Air Transat pilots file official bargaining notice with Transat management

Last week, the Main Executive Council (PEC) of the Air Transat Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) provided Air Transat management with the official notice to negotiate required by section 49 of the Canada Labour Code, thus officially opening contractual negotiations with the employer regarding the new collective agreement for the pilot group.

“We have a collective agreement that dates back to 2015. We will negotiate a contract that reflects the current standard in the aviation sector in Canada, similar to those recently negotiated by Air Canada and WestJet,” said Captain Bradley Small, Chair of the Air Transat Pilots’ PEC. “Our group of pilots is united and we want management to know that we are prepared to fight for a contract that addresses the concerns of our pilots and brings stability to our airline.”

Looking for resolutions

Air Transat pilots have asked their elected leaders and the pilot negotiators to resolve several important issues: job protection, salary conditions, pilots’ group insurance and retirement conditions. These conditions are far below those of other Canadian airlines, with no career progression and no improvement in the quality of life.

“Our pilots are united and ready to defend a contract that meets our expectations and guarantees the future of our airline. The message to management is simple: we will not back down, it is a question of respect,” added Captain Small.

Air Transat pilots carry more than 2.5 million passengers annually to nearly 60 destinations in 30 countries. Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest airline pilots’ union, representing more than 79,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines.