Contract negotiations between Air Transat and its pilots have reached an impasse as union representatives filed an official Notice of Dispute with the federal Minister of Labour this week. The move comes after more than nine months of bargaining without significant progress, despite over 400 hours spent at the table since January.
Represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), Transat’s approximately 700 pilots are seeking a comprehensive overhaul of their decade-old collective agreement. The union says pilots have lagged behind peers at other Canadian and US airlines in terms of compensation, job protections, and quality-of-life provisions. “Our team has been ready to work since day one. What we need now is a fully committed and responsive partner on the other side of the table,” said Captain Bradley Small, chair of the Transat Master Executive Council.
Once a federal conciliator is appointed, both parties will enter a mandatory 60-day conciliation period during which efforts will focus on bridging the gap. “Our goal remains a modern contract—one that reflects the realities of today’s industry, ensures fair compensation, enshrines job protections, and improves the quality of life for our pilots,” Captain Small stated, emphasizing the union’s determination to achieve progress without resorting to work stoppages.
Air Transat, meanwhile, says it remains committed to the process. “Transat has given the necessary attention to the process since it began last January, three months before the collective agreement expired,” a spokesperson noted, adding that both sides agreed early on to a thorough, comprehensive negotiation process.
These developments come on the heels of recent settlements at other airlines, including Air Canada, where pilots secured substantial gains last year. With summer travel approaching and no immediate solution in sight, industry watchers will be monitoring the situation closely for potential disruptions to the carrier’s operations.
