Another round of labour trouble is threatening to disrupt Air Transat, with the company’s 28 airline dispatchers in a position to strike, having voted for a strike mandate to protest what the union says is “disappointing progress” in labour talks. No Air Transat aircraft can depart without the approval of a flight plan by a flight dispatcher, though no strike date has been announced.

The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) says it received a “resounding 100% strike mandate” on April 15 after conciliation talks with Transat, assisted by the federal government, failed on April 2. A mandatory 21-day mandatory “cooling off” period ended April 23.

“We have been very patient in trying to negotiate a new Collective Agreement with Air Transat,” said Rob King, National President, Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association. “Our flight dispatchers are highly trained professionals who certain deserve a contract that reflects their position of responsibility, accountability and liability as it pertains to their work.”

The union’s collective agreement ended on Oct. 31, 2022.

Flights Dispatchers are licensed by Transport Canada and prepare the flight plan, board fuel, monitor aircraft systems, monitor weather, deal with in-flight emergencies along with other critical functions.

Air Transat previously settled with its flight attendants, averting a strike in February.