Approximately 700 pilots of Air Transat, a Canadian airline that mainly operates flights to tropical resorts, have overwhelmingly approved the right to strike. With a 98% turnout and 99% of them voting in favor, the pilots will be able to strike from December 10th onwards.
No formal strike notice has been issued at this time, but tensions are rising ahead of the busy holiday season.
The pilots’ union is seeking improved working conditions, higher wages, a better quality of life, and job security. It is particularly aiming for a contract closer to the standards of Canada’s largest airline, Air Canada, and its second-largest, WestJet. The current contract, signed 10 years ago, has been criticized as the “lowest in the industry.”
Negotiations have been ongoing since January 2025, but the parties withdrew from mediation on November 18 and are currently in a 21-day cooling-off period, which ends on December 10, after which strike rights may be exercised.
Meanwhile, the company emphasized that “negotiations are progressing and we want to avoid any impact on customers.” Flights are currently continuing as normal.
If a strike goes ahead, flight cancellations and delays are inevitable. This year in August, Air Canada flight attendants went on strike, resulting in the cancellation of all flights for three days. Passengers were forced to find alternative means of transportation, causing inconvenience and confusion at the end of the summer holidays.
At this point, both the airline and the union have said they do not want a strike.