Listen to this article
Approximately 1 minute
The audio version of this article was created using text-to-speech, an artificial intelligence-based technology.
The union representing Air Transat pilots said on Sunday it had issued a 72-hour strike notice that could see pilots strike as soon as Wednesday.
Earlier this week, pilots voted overwhelmingly to give their union's governing body the power to call a strike.
The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA) said it still hopes to reach an agreement with Air Transat management before calling a strike.
In a statement on Sunday, Capt. Bradley Small, chairman of Air Transat's Chief Executive Council, which represents ALPA, said: “No pilot wants to go on strike, but Air Transat management has left us with no choice.”
Small said there is “still time to avoid a strike,” but if significant progress is not made by Wednesday, “we will strike if necessary to secure a modern contract.”
Negotiations between ALPA and the airline began in January, three months before the collective bargaining agreement expired.
These are industry standard pay, benefits, labor rules and job security that will replace their current 2015 agreement.
