Q&A: What happens if Air Transat’s flight attendants go on strike?

Air Transat has sent a Q&A to travel advisors to address some of the concerns they may have over restored fears of a possible strike involving the airline’s flight attendants.

This week, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) revealed that Air Transat’s 2,100 flight attendant members voted to reject a tentative agreement that was reached last month just before the holiday season kicked in.

The agreement in principle reached between Air Transat and CUPE on Dec. 14, at the time, appeared to meet the interests of both parties.

It also neutralized a possible strike that could have hit at the height of the holiday travel period.

But the situation, now, has changed as Air Transat and CUPE plan to resume negotiations this week.

READ MORE: Air Transat “disappointed” as flight attendants reject tentative agreement by 98%

In general meetings from Dec. 20 to 23, Air Transat’s flight attendant members voted 98.1 per cent to refuse the tentative deal, with a participation rate of 87 per cent, according to the union. 

The insufficiency of salary increases, linked to the cost of living, and the stagnation of remuneration in previous years, are sticking points in the negotiations, CUPE says.  

Given the high level of dissatisfaction among members, it’s now possible for the union to file a strike notice.

To be clear, there is currently no notice to strike or lockout issued by either party. Air Transat’s operations are also normal, bounded to the usual terms and conditions.

Still, the airline – admitting this week that it was disappointed with how things have turned out – is making its position known, telling Canada’s travel trade community in a document circulated on Wednesday (Jan. 3) that it “will make every effort to reach an agreement quickly.”

In the memo, which PAX has obtained, the carrier tries to answer some of the questions travel advisors might have about flights and vacation packages.

For easy reference, we’ve pasted it here. 

When will the strike begin?

• For the moment, there is no confirmed strike.

• The agreement in principle reached between Air Transat and its flight attendants' union on December 14 was unfortunately not accepted by the majority. We are therefore returning to the bargaining table, but we are confident of reaching a new agreement quickly, which is a top priority for Air Transat and the union negotiating committee.

• Despite this unpredictable event, this is not strike notice, and our operations continue as planned.

Will this strike threat have an impact on my clients’ bookings?

• We understand that you may be wondering about the impact of the ongoing negotiations with our flight attendants on your clients’ bookings.

• For the moment, there is no confirmed strike, and our operations are continuing as planned.

Can clients cancel or change their booking?

• Please be assured that we are doing our utmost to ensure that the current negotiations do not affect your clients' travel plans, and we undertake to keep you informed of any developments that may affect flights.

• For the time being, there is no confirmed strike and operations are continuing as planned.

• Clients can therefore modify or cancel their reservations according to the terms and conditions of their fare class.

If the strike noticed is in effect, what would happen to my clients' reservations?

• In the event of a formal 72-hour strike notice filed by the union and the subsequent cancellation of flights, Air Transat will meet all its obligations as a carrier to accommodate its travellers.

• This would include the offer of a new ticket on a next available flight or that of a partner if such an option exists within 48 hours of the original departure time, or the refund of any unused portion of the trip.

• For those who have booked a package and are at destination and whose stay may be extended, Transat will assume and cover any additional costs incurred.

If the strike is called, and flights are cancelled, will my clients who have booked a package, accommodation or an excursion, be reimbursed for these services?

• In the case of a vacation package, Transat will work with the travel agency to reschedule the vacation or find other travel arrangements for their clients based on availability.

• There is also the possibility for them to request a partial refund (for example, for unused or missed nights) or a full refund if they decide not to travel again.

If my clients are at their destination, what will happen? How will they get back?

• In the event of a formal 72-hour strike notice filed by the union and the subsequent cancellation of certain flights, Air Transat will meet all its obligations as a carrier to accommodate its travellers.

Air Transat Flights

If the strike is called and your clients’ flight is cancelled, they will receive a new ticket on the next available flight, or on a partner's flight if such an option exists, within 48 hours of the original departure time, or a refund of any unused portion of the trip.

In the event of refusal of the alternative proposed by Air Transat, the traveller would be entitled to a refund of the unused ticket.

Transat Packages

For those who have booked a package and are at destination and whose stay may be extended, Transat will assume and cover any additional costs incurred.

In the event of refusal of the alternative proposed by Air Transat, the traveller would be entitled to a refund of the unused ticket.

“Negotiated in good faith"

In a statement Wednesday (Jan. 3), Julie Lamontagne, chief people, sustainability and communications officer at Transat, said that initial tentative agreement reached in December was “negotiated in good faith.”

"We are disappointed by this outcome, as we were confident that the tentative agreement would be accepted by the majority of our flight attendants,” Lamontagne said. “We are returning to the bargaining table, and our objective remains to find common ground as soon as possible."

To see the latest details, visit Air Transat’s website, in the Important notices and news section.

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