MrGreen

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/stor...e-mandate.html

Air Transat flight attendants approve strike mandate

Air Transat flight attendants have rejected the latest contract offer from their employer and approved a mandate for a general strike.

The roughly 1,500 flight attendants, who are represented by CUPE, voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike mandate, the union said in a statement released Thursday night.

CUPE said the Montreal-based company has "continued to ask for cuts that simply are not justified by its financial situation."

Among the concerns were pensions and shift duration, the union said.

The union also said they asked the federal Department of Labour to appoint a conciliator to help with negotiations on April 21.

The federal department says a conciliation officer's role is "that of a mediator with no special powers."

The conciliator is given 60 days to help the employer and the union as they try to reach a settlement.

If the feuding parties can't come to agreement within the 60-day period, they go through a 21-day "cooling off" period, the department says.

After that period passes, workers can launch a strike and employers can lock out employees.

The union said it was still hoping for a negotiated settlement, and the earliest a strike could be launched is late July.

Air Transat representatives were not immediately available to comment.

The news of the strike mandate comes after Air Canada and the union representing striking customer service and sales agents came to a tentative agreement after a three-day walkout.

The Air Canada deal came shortly after the federal government tabled legislation aimed at forcing the airline employees back to work — a move opposed by the union representing the striking Air Canada workers.

Clematis

Fantastic news, I fly with them on the 23rd June, returning on the 15th July...

justkidding

I fly out on July 6 and return July 27th but it is a Thomas Cook flight booked through Air Transat - Any chance Thomas Cook flights won't be effected?

JamesM

That's a good question. Air Transat staff are employed in Canada whilst Thomas Cook are employed in the UK so I would think you were good to go.

They are however owned by the same company.

My house mate's girlfriend is a hostess for Air Transat. Apparently the Union have over 200 gripes with the Employer.

gryphea

Guys

You are all panicing over nothing - the strike appears to be at least 81 days away. The 60 day period plus the 21 day period

justkidding

The article says late July.

Clematis

Phew, had enough of strikes already, camera accessories are currently still not here and not likely to be before I leave. Middle daughter's birthday tomorrow and she has no cards from abroad...

justkidding

This article says they can strike any time after July 19th:

http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/story.html?id=4964615

Not panicking - I'll just have to stay longer

gryphea

Ok

So I'm panicing now. Going 7th coming back 30th eek.

The4BellsLondon

phew - parents arrive on 1st and return on 10th - oh yes!!

justkidding

Is your flight Thomas Cook or an actual Air Transat one?

Londonuck

Bugger, flying Aug 13th.

Stood on my picket lines as well.

Steve_P

Another article says "The vote means that flight attendants can strike any time after July 19."

http://www.montrealgazette.com/busin...772/story.html

macadian

Hope they get it sorted before September 6th....

Londonuck

Should of read, many.