Following the aversion of a flight attendant strike at Air Transat in FEB, the airline is now facing new labour pressure from its flight dispatchers. Air Transat airline dispatchers represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) issued a unanimous 100% strike mandate amid failed negotiations.
CALDA said, "The 28 Montreal-based Air Transat Flight Dispatchers are very disappointed at the progress of the talks."
The strike vote was submitted to Air Transat on 15APR, following unsuccessful conciliation efforts with federal assistance, which concluded on 02APR, 2024. The mandatory 21-day cooling-off period ended on 23APR.
The Air Transat Flight Dispatchers Collective Agreement ended on 31OCTt, 2022.
"We have been very patient in trying to negotiate a new Collective Agreement with Air Transat," said Rob King, national president of CALDA.
"Our Flight Dispatchers are highly trained professionals who certain deserve a contract that reflects their position of responsibility, accountability and liability as it pertains to their work," said King.
The flight dispatchers are now in a position to strike.
Flight dispatchers, licensed by Transport Canada, undertake tasks including preparing flight plans, fueling, monitoring aircraft systems and weather, and managing in-flight emergencies. At Air Transat, the flight dispatcher collaborates with the pilot-in-command for flight watch and operational control.
No Air Transat aircraft can depart without the approval of the flight plan by the flight dispatcher.
