Air Transat pilots have issued a 72-hour notice of possible strike action starting Wednesday morning, a move that comes just before the busy holiday season and has heightened concerns among passengers.

The Air Transat Pilots Association (ALPA) said it was forced to issue the notice after nearly a year of negotiations without reaching an agreement.

“There is still time to avert a strike, but if there is no tangible progress in negotiations, we will strike to achieve a modern contract,” said Bradley Small, president of the airline’s pilots’ union.

Transat said it was working around the clock to reach an agreement, but stressed that given the current situation, some flight cancellations would begin on Monday and escalate over the next two days.

The airline also said passengers would be notified of the status and support options as soon as each flight was canceled.

Meanwhile, each side has accused the other of neglecting the negotiation process.

Small stressed:
“No pilot wants to strike, but Air Transat management has led us to this path.”

In contrast, Julie Lamontagne, Transat’s human resources director, said the union has shown “no willingness to negotiate” and, citing progress made, called the pilots’ decision “hasty.”

She added:
“This reckless decision at this time of year is a clear disregard for Transat, its employees and its customers and does not reflect the true state of the negotiations.”

Transat says it has offered pilots a 59 percent pay increase over five years and significant improvements in working conditions.

In a vote last week, 99 percent of pilots voted in favor of granting the right to strike, with 98 percent of eligible voters participating.

After a 21-day “cooling-off” period of negotiations ends on December 10, pilots can strike or management can lock out.

The union says its goal with the new contract is to strengthen job security, improve working conditions, increase wages and improve the quality of life.

Source