International Union Pledges Full Support As Pilots Pursue A New Contract

Air Transat pilots will receive an initial $1 million grant from their international union, the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), to assist them in negotiating a new contract. Contract negotiations began in the first quarter of 2010.

Capt. John Prater, ALPA’s president, announced the grant at ALPA’s Executive Board meeting. “This grant puts Air Transat’s management on notice that ALPA will reject any attempt to maximize profit on the backs of employees,” Prater said. “We want a new contract, not a strike, but the pilots at Air Transat deserve and demand an agreement that reflects the pilots’ contribution to their airline’s outstanding success. Our international union will bring its tremendous resources and decades of experience to bear to help Air Transat pilots make that happen.”

ALPA’s Executive Council and Executive Board unanimously approved the initial $1 million grant from its Major Contingency Fund (MCF). The MCF is ALPA’s “war chest” providing pilot groups with the necessary resources to respond to threats to their jobs and to the piloting profession. Funds from the grant will pay for strategic preparedness activities as contract negotiations for a fair and equitable collective bargaining agreement continue.

“As partners in the success of these companies, we are asking Transat A.T. management to work with the pilots and other employees to encourage the growth of the company from within—as they’ve done in the past with notable success,” said Capt. Sylvain Aubin, chairman of the Air Transat unit of ALPA.

Air Transat is known for its international experience and wide body aircraft operations. The company has been marketing its full-sized aircraft in 26 countries with approximately 60 destinations throughout the world.

FMI: www.alpa.org