Air Transat pilots file Notice of Dispute with federal government

The Air Transat Master Executive Council, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), has filed a Notice of Dispute with the federal Minister of Labour and the Federal Mediation Service of Canada after nine months of negotiations.

Talks began in January 2025.  According to ALPA, the pilot-led negotiating committee has spent more than 400 hours over 50 days at the bargaining table.

“Unfortunately, the company’s team has failed to engage and show willingness to advance the negotiation progress at an acceptable pace,” said Captain Bradley Small, chair of the Air Transat MEC. 

“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.”

With the filing of the Notice of Dispute, the Minister of Labour has up to 15 days to appoint a federal conciliator. 

Once appointed, the parties are required to meet for at least 60 days while the conciliator works to help both sides reach an agreement.

“We are not walking away,” said Capt. Small. 

“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.”

Air Transat pilots have been working without contractual improvements for more than a decade. 

ALPA says they lack the job protections, compensation and quality-of-life standards in place at other airlines.

The filing comes less than a year after Air Canada pilots, also represented by ALPA, reached a tentative deal that averted a strike.

The four-year agreement included raises of nearly 40 per cent — with a 26 per cent boost in the first year, followed by four per cent increases annually.

Air Canada pilots ratified the deal on Oct. 10, 2024, with 67 per cent voting in favour. 

Improvements to compensation and quality of life were central to the agreement, which narrowed the pay gap with pilots at other Canadian and U.S. airlines and adjusted scheduling to provide more time at home.

“It’s time for management to match our commitment,” said Capt. Small. “Our pilots are united and ready to achieve the modern contract we’ve earned.”

Statement from Air Transat

In a statement, Air Transat said its negotiations with the ALPA "are a priority," noting that "Transat has given the necessary attention to the process since it began last January, three months before the collective agreement expired." 

 "From the outset, both parties agreed to work on a comprehensive overhaul of the collective agreement, fully aware of the timeline required to ensure a thorough and rigorous process," the company said. "Transat continues discussions with ALPA with the goal of reaching a modern collective agreement that satisfies both parties.”

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