Just as pilots at Air Transat prepare to vote on a tentative deal reached Tuesday night, another airline faces a possible strike.
The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association says flight dispatchers at Porter Airlines have voted 100 per cent in favour of walking off the job to back contract demands.
The flight dispatchers unionized in August 2024, and since then, the CALDA has been trying to negotiate their first collective agreement. After 14 months, the two sides have failed to reach a deal.
A strike date wasn't announced, but the association urged Porter Airlines to take immediate steps to avoid service disruptions in the new year.
The association said in a release that Porter Airlines management has "repeatedly shown a lack of respect for the professional, certified, and highly trained dispatchers who support their growing domestic, transborder, and international operations."
"This strike vote reflects the deep frustration and disappointment felt by members," said CALDA. "Porter's actions leave us no choice but to stand together to protect our profession and ensure the airline meets its obligations to these skilled aviation workers."
The association is also deeply concerned that Porter has begun training a small number of non-unionized employees to work as potential substitutes should members go on strike.
Talks are in the final stages of conciliation with a federal mediator, but CALDA said Porter still won't engage on key issues.
"These are certified aviation professionals whose expertise directly impacts the safety of every flight," said Rob King, the National President of CALDA. "They deserve a contract that reflects the value of their work."
