A significant majority of Air Transat pilots are poised to strike next week if the airline's management does not present a new contract. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing about 700 pilots, reported that 99% of those who voted are in favor of potential labor action. This comes as the holiday travel season approaches. While the union has not issued a formal strike notice, it stated that pilots are ready for any outcome. "Nobody wants to strike," said Capt. Bradley Small, chair of the Air Transat Master Executive Council. "The company doesn’t want that. The pilots don’t want that. But we also want a fair agreement." The pilots are seeking a contract that aligns with agreements made by their counterparts at Air Canada and WestJet in recent years. They want improvements in scheduling, insurance coverage, retirement security, and compensation. Additionally, they aim to enhance job security by limiting the number of outsourced pilots as Air Transat expands its operations. Negotiations for a new contract began in January and have continued past the April expiration of the previous agreement. Small claims that the company was only present for negotiations about one-fifth of the time, leading the union to request conciliators from Ottawa. After two months of unproductive talks, a 21-day cooling-off period was initiated, transitioning to ongoing mediation. This mediation period ends at midnight on Sunday, after which Air Transat could impose a lockout or the union could file a 72-hour strike notice, potentially leading to a strike as early as December 10. "Right now, between what the company is offering and where we say we have to be to be at industry standards, there’s quite a big spread," Small noted. "They’re going to have to work pretty hard to get to a point where we would push that to a further date or come up with an agreement." Air Transat's vice president of operations, Dave Bourdages, stated that significant progress has been made with the help of conciliators. He emphasized the goal of reaching a collective agreement that satisfies both parties and reflects market realities. John Gradek, an aviation management lecturer at McGill University and former Air Canada executive, supports the pilots' push for a modernized contract. He pointed out that many clauses in the current agreement have not changed in over a decade, despite significant shifts in working conditions. In anticipation of potential disruptions, Air Transat has informed passengers that they can modify or cancel their reservations according to their fare class terms. If a strike notice is filed, the airline will cancel certain flights and assist customers in returning to their original destinations. This assistance may include offering new tickets on the next available flights or refunding any unused portions of trips. Small expressed understanding of passenger concerns during the busy holiday season but criticized the company for delays in negotiations. He remains hopeful for a resolution to avoid disruptions. Gradek believes that a strike is unlikely, citing the pilots' history of avoiding work stoppages and the airline's financial situation. Air Transat recently restructured its pandemic-related debt, which could make it more cost-effective for the airline to settle with pilots rather than face a work stoppage during a critical revenue period. As the situation develops, other airlines are monitoring the contract talks. Air Canada noted that it is preparing for the busy holiday season while keeping an eye on the negotiations. The potential strike reflects ongoing labor tensions in Canada’s airline industry, following recent strikes by WestJet mechanics and Air Canada flight attendants. Small expressed skepticism about government intervention but stated the union is prepared for any eventuality. Gradek echoed this sentiment, suggesting that government officials may prefer to avoid the complications seen in previous labor disputes. Transport Minister Patty Hajdu commented on the situation, emphasizing the importance of negotiations between the parties involved. As the deadline approaches, both pilots and management are under pressure to reach an agreement before the holiday travel season begins.