Air Transat pilots vote 97% in favour of strike

Air Transat’s pilots have voted almost unanimously to support a strike that would hit the vacation airline just before the busy March Break travelling season, if the two sides can’t come to terms before then.

The Air Line Pilots Association says 97 per cent of its members at Transat have voted in favour of withdrawing services if required.

The pilot contract expired last April and negotiations are in a 60-day conciliation period that ends Feb. 7.

If there’s no agreement when conciliation ends, the clock starts on a 21-day cooling off period required by law.

That would put Air Transat on course for a strike or lockout at the end of February, if no deal is reached before then.

Air Transat is part of Montreal-based Transat A.T., which operates an integrated travel business that includes flights and vacation packages in North America, Europe and other areas.