Air Transat flight attendants have a new collective agreement

MONTREAL, July 23, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - A majority of Air Transat cabin crew members voted today in favour of the recommendation made by the federal mediator appointed to the case. The result of the electronic vote indicates that 61% of employees voted in favour of the mediator's recommendation.

Last June 30, after 93.2% of cabin crew members rejected the tentative agreement reached on June 6 by the employer and the union, the Air Transat Component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and the company returned to the bargaining table to find a solution to the impasse.

On June 1, 2016, 98,5% of cabin crew members voted in favour of a strike mandate.

« We are very satisfied with the outcome of the bargaining process. There was the expected light turbulence but for the most part discussions maintained optimism and good labour relations which we hope will continue throughout this collective agreement », said Martyn Smith, president of the Air Transat Component of CUPE.

Air Transat cabin personnel come under CUPE locals 4041 in Montreal, 4047 in Toronto and 4078 in Vancouver. These local unions are part of a national structure, the Air Transat Component of CUPE.

CUPE is Canada's largest union with over 635,000 members across the country. Its airline division represents approximately 10,000 members in seven airlines: Air Canada (including the low-cost carrier rouge), Air Transat, Sunwing, Cathay Pacific, Calm Air, First Air and Canadian North.

SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (FTQ)

For further information: Ronald Boisrond, CUPE Communications, 514 802-2802, [email protected]