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Air Transat Pilots Back 99% Strike Mandate as Péladeau Seeks Board Overhaul

Holiday travel faces uncertainty alongside a shareholder push to remake the board.

Overview

  • More than 700 Air Transat pilots represented by ALPA voted 99% in favour of a strike mandate, with either side able to issue a 72‑hour strike or lockout notice starting Dec. 10.
  • Air Transat said operations remain normal and expressed confidence in reaching a deal, while the union opened a strike centre and says the current contract lags industry standards.
  • Talks began in January, moved to conciliation in September, and the cooling‑off period ends Dec. 10 after the decade‑old collective agreement expired in April.
  • Separately, investor Pierre Karl Péladeau, through 9.5% owner Financière Outremont, requisitioned a special meeting by Feb. 6 to replace chair Susan Kudzman, cut the board to six, and add nominees including himself, André Brosseau and Jean‑Marc Léger.
  • Transat says directors have met with Péladeau’s team and are reviewing potential board changes, as the company contends with weak finances, about $1.41 billion in net debt, engine‑related aircraft groundings, and Q4 results due Dec. 17.