Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

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BlueStar
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Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

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Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly Authorize Union to Call Strike



Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly Authorize Union to Call Strike
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BusinessWire · Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010

The pilots of Air Transat, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), resoundingly support conducting a lawful strike if a collective agreement is not reached with their management. In a recent strike ballot issued by the union leadership to the pilot group, an overwhelming 97 percent of pilots voted in favour of a lawful strike, should it become necessary to conclude a fair collective agreement with Air Transat management. The pilots have been in negotiations since January of this year.

“This vote serves as notice to the company that our pilots are united and stand firm behind our goal of achieving a fair and equitable contract,” said Captain Sylvain Aubin, chairman of the Air Transat Master Executive Council (MEC), the unit of ALPA that represents Air Transat pilots. Of the pilots eligible to vote, more than 90 percent participated in the balloting. “Our pilots are seeking a contract that recognizes their contribution to the success of the airline that they have helped to build,” Captain Aubin added.

In June, Air Transat pilots received a $1 million grant from ALPA’s Major Contingency Fund (MCF), which provides pilot groups with the resources needed for responding when threats to their jobs and their profession are imminent. “While Air Transat pilots consider a strike a matter of last resort, this vote demonstrates their steadfast unity in achieving their contract goals,” said Captain John Prater, ALPA’s president. “If the pilots of Air Transat choose to declare a strike, it will be conducted with the extensive resources and the full backing of the nearly 53,000 pilots ALPA represents.”

On June 25, Canada’s Minister of Labour, Lisa Raitt, appointed Ms. Maureen Flynn to serve as conciliation commissioner. The conciliation time line establishes a series of hard deadlines for negotiators, including a 60-day conciliation period that will expire on September 10, 2010, unless the parties agree to extend the process. Under the Canada Labour Code, both the strike authorization vote and written notification to the company are required steps before any withdrawal of services can begin. At the end of conciliation, a mandatory 21-day waiting period will go into effect, which concludes at midnight on October 1, at which time Air Transat pilots will be in a legal position to strike.

After more than six months of bargaining, substantial issues remain open, particularly in the areas of job outsourcing, pilot fatigue mitigation, and compensation, according to Aubin. The pilots continue to work under a contract that has seen no adjustments to allowances to pension or benefits, and adjustments to concessionary pay scales have fallen well below the rate of inflation.
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Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/markets/ne ... zz0wrcMCeP
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Samson
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by Samson »

I'm pulling for these guys. Hopefully things work out better for them then the Jazz contract. Ms. Raitt will have a harder time preventing a strike by saying the service they provide is essential for the country in this case.
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tsgas
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by tsgas »

Good time for the company to park some planes and conserve cash.
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60N30W
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by 60N30W »

Good try tsgas. Hard to park aircraft when you are short aircraft and short crews in the first place.
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by Localizer »

Samson wrote:I'm pulling for these guys. Hopefully things work out better for them then the Jazz contract. Ms. Raitt will have a harder time preventing a strike by saying the service they provide is essential for the country in this case.

I hope all the best for them as well .. but Lisa "The Rat" Raitt has her ways .. all she has to say is that "its in the interest of Canada" and BOOM! .. BTWL is on the table! .. that easy! Remember Canadian's need there vacations! .. :roll:

All the best to the Transat pilots! :smt023

Cheers! Loc
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sanjet
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by sanjet »

tsgas wrote:Good time for the company to park some planes and conserve cash.
Why is there no comradery from some of pilots when it comes to supporting our collegues when they are trying to better the industry standards for all of us in Canada.

Best of luck to the TS pilots.
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by industrypolice »

sanjet wrote:
tsgas wrote:Good time for the company to park some planes and conserve cash.
Why is there no comradery from some of pilots when it comes to supporting our collegues when they are trying to better the industry standards for all of us in Canada.

Best of luck to the TS pilots.
Because some pilots believe in sacrfice and slavery for the benefit of thier god, the company. Its the same reason why some pilots are gullible enough to work ramp for a flying job.
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by YYZatcboy »

Here's hoping that they can work out a contract that is good for both the Pilots and the Company. Remember, it's supposed to be a symbiotic relationship.
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ng78
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by ng78 »

This will be a very interesting one to watch. From the outside at least, Air Transat has a great contract, possibly second only to Air Canada in this country. The issue of job outsourcing is a biggie, as the Transat Group does not necessarily need the airline to operate, although it would be in their best interest to continue to do so as long as it is economically viable. I'd love to see Air Transat grow with additional wide bodies, plus the addition of 737's or other narrow body aircraft.

Good luck!
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frankfrank
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by frankfrank »

Conciliation commissioner????

Sound like beaurucrat BS to me. The Minister will probably shoot down their strike just like she almost did to Jazzes.

Minister of Labour is an impartial ass, for those that didn't know.
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by palebird »

Symbiotic, are you joking... anyone who goes on strike right now or even threatens to is an idiot..does not matter what the past decried, look at the future, it is not bright and for pilots to threaten strike action this fall is a huge joke..
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IflyaSewerpipe
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by IflyaSewerpipe »

palebird. What's a matter with you? Who's the idiot?
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whipline
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by whipline »

Are you kidding palebird? AT's flying is being outsourced to the lowest bidder. The list is stagnent at AT while CJ3 is flourishing. I'm surprised this hasn't happened sooner. What the AT pilots are doing is courageous and I'm 110% behind them. Unless you work for Canjet?

Go get your flying back guys/gals!
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ng78
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by ng78 »

isn't threatening job action if they don't reduce the outsourcing counter-productive though?
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by North Shore »

sanjet wrote: Why is there no comradery from some of pilots when it comes to supporting our collegues when they are trying to better the industry standards for all of us in Canada.

Best of luck to the TS pilots.
Pretty ironic comment from a person who uses a JetsGo picture as their avatar! :lol:
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by sanjet »

North Shore wrote:
sanjet wrote: Why is there no comradery from some of pilots when it comes to supporting our collegues when they are trying to better the industry standards for all of us in Canada.

Best of luck to the TS pilots.
Pretty ironic comment from a person who uses a JetsGo picture as their avatar! :lol:
It serves as a constant reminder to all of us. And no, I never have worked for Jetsgo 8)
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by yak8 »

Did everybody forgot that AT was a low cost carrier ? With new low cost compagny around now, they lost there competiveness/productivity advance they had. (vertical trust, wich was well done and unique, but copied by now, like for Sunwing)
On top of a copied business plan, their pilots got pretty fat (nothing wrong, we all want better flying conditions),compare to those of Sunwing (for exemple,or Canjet) who fly more, make less and spend less family quality time home...
And look now,free champagne with AT like...Sunwing!
If you speak to the original AT pilots, they gave it "all in"..
So no advantaging business plan + less productive employees = less profit.
In that case negative profits for the last 2 years...And we're not out of the reccession, far from it lads !
So don't break anything.
That will be bad to see Home depot employees with 330 PPC...
Good luck and best for all !
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by whipline »

Yak, what does your post have to do with outsourcing flying? Sunwing's owner has been in the tour business longer then Transat, so I don't think there is much copying going on. Pay scales are also pretty close. Sunwing pilots don't fly longhaul. Most pilots, if they choose to be are home every night.

A lot of people forget there is a soft value to the product. When you outsource flying, it might be cheaper on paper but you loose control of the product and quality of service. In the end it costs more.

I would doubt the AirTransat pilots are looking for much money, just some job security and recognition of their contribution to the company.
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by Mooney21 »

Did everybody forgot that AT was a low cost carrier ? With new low cost compagny around now, they lost there competiveness/productivity advance they had. (vertical trust, wich was well done and unique, but copied by now, like for Sunwing)
On top of a copied business plan, their pilots got pretty fat (nothing wrong, we all want better flying conditions),compare to those of Sunwing (for exemple,or Canjet) who fly more, make less and spend less family quality time home...
And look now,free champagne with AT like...Sunwing!
If you speak to the original AT pilots, they gave it "all in"..
So no advantaging business plan + less productive employees = less profit.
In that case negative profits for the last 2 years...And we're not out of the reccession, far from it lads !
So don't break anything.
That will be bad to see Home depot employees with 330 PPC...
Good luck and best for all !
Yak 8, thanks for your support, but I would like to correct you on two points. Air Transat was never a low cost carrier. Also Air Transat is not a public company, Group Transat is the public company, so how do you know that Air Transat has had negative profit for the last 2 years? Or were you referring to Group Transat?

Do not forget that our empoyer is Air Transat and not Transat AT.
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by invertedattitude »

Good luck to the AT people!
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by aviator2010 »

Good luck to the AT people!
ya hopfully you can put some canjet pilots out of work
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Panama Jack wrote:I'm afraid I will have to agree with aviator2010
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by rudder »

Bonne chance to the AT pilots but there is a reality check required here.

First, trying to differentiate between Groupe Transat and Air Transat as to whom is the real employer is semantics. Similarly, if Groupe Transat is finding it difficult to turn a profit then it is pointless to try to separate the financial performance of a wholly-owned subsidiary for the purpose of collective bargaining. Air Transat's financial results are whatever the Groupe Transat's accountants want them to be.

Second, if the AT pilots want to retain or grow their portfolio of work for Groupe Transat, then it will have to be on a cost competitive basis. Is Air Transat cost competitive in the sked charter segment of the industry? Was SkyService cost competitive?

The addition of significant capacity from other tour companies is continuing the downward presure on yields. It is pretty obvious that the cost structure of narrowbody charter lift is resting at an all-time low. Air Transat has a niche as the sole provider of widebody charter lift in Canada. That does not mean that they will always be the only player, wholly-owned subsidiary or not.

I hope that it turns out well for all concerned, but a successful outcome is not a given.
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by Samson »

Canjet is still in business? That comes as news to me.

There seems to be a lot of sour grapes in this thread from pilots who's recent contract negotiations didn't go too well. I don't blame you though. Pouring a bunch of your pay into ALPA and then not being able to strike is frustrating as hell especially when your cash will probably be used to support this pilot group who is able to strike if it comes to that.

It's not the Transat pilot's fault that the government plays the essential service card though. Good luck with your negotiations and/or your job action!
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by ....... »

yak8 wrote: So no advantaging business plan + less productive employees = less profit.
In that case negative profits for the last 2 years...And we're not out of the reccession, far from it lads !
Where have you been lately yak8???

How's 85-90 hours stick time/monthly less productive???

And since when does the pilots's wages make any difference? I, for one, remember that giving 10% of our salary didn't save Canadian... Aircraft leases and fuel hedging do make a difference though... Grow up!
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Re: Air Transat Pilots Overwhelmingly authorize strike

Post by buzzjob »

aviator2010 wrote:
Good luck to the AT people!
ya hopfully you can put some canjet pilots out of work

Your an idiot!! I hope you find yourself out of work someday too!!
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