Air Transat has issued a helpful Q&A for travel advisors dealing with questions from clients as negotiations continue between the union and the airline.

As reported earlier this week, Air Transat management has agreed to resume discussions with CUPE following the unfavourable vote by Air Transat flight attendants on the tentative agreement for the renewal of their collective agreement. CUPE announced that its 2,100 flight attendant members at Air Transat rejected the agreement in principle reached on December 14.

“The tentative agreement reached with the union executive on December 14 was unfortunately not accepted by the majority of our flight attendants,” says Air Transat in its info notice to agents. “We are resuming negotiations immediately and will make every effort to reach an agreement quickly. This is an absolute priority for Air Transat.”

The notice adds: “Please note that there is no strike notice and our operations are continuing as planned.”

Here’s the Air Transat Q&A, to help with messaging for clients …

Q. When will the strike begin?

A. For the moment, there is no confirmed strike. The agreement in principle reached between Air Transat and its flight attendants’ union on December 14 was unfortunately not accepted by the majority. We are therefore returning to the bargaining table, but we are confident of reaching a new agreement quickly, which is a top priority for Air Transat and the union negotiating committee. Despite this unpredictable event, this is not strike notice, and our operations continue as planned.

Q. Will this strike threat have an impact on my clients’ bookings?

A. We understand that you may be wondering about the impact of the ongoing negotiations with our flight attendants on your clients’ bookings. For the moment, there is no confirmed strike, and our operations are continuing as planned.

Q. Can clients cancel or change their booking?

A. Please be assured that we are doing our utmost to ensure that the current negotiations do not affect your clients’ travel plans, and we undertake to keep you informed of any developments that may affect flights. For the time being, there is no confirmed strike and operations are continuing as planned. Clients can therefore modify or cancel their reservations according to the terms and conditions of their fare class.

Q. If the strike notice is in effect, what would happen to my clients’ reservations?

A. In the event of a formal 72-hour strike notice filed by the union and the subsequent cancellation of flights, Air Transat will meet all its obligations as a carrier to accommodate its travellers. This would include the offer of a new ticket on a next available flight or that of a partner if such an option exists within 48 hours of the original departure time, or the refund of any unused portion of the trip. For those who have booked a package and are at destination and whose stay may be extended, Transat will assume and cover any additional costs incurred.

Q. If the strike is called, and flights are cancelled, will my clients who have booked a package, accommodation or an excursion, be reimbursed for these services?

A. In the case of a vacation package, Transat will work with the travel agency to reschedule the vacation or find other travel arrangements for their clients based on availability. There is also the possibility for them to request a partial refund (for example, for unused or missed nights) or a full refund if they decide not to travel again.

Q. If my clients are at their destination, what will happen? How will they get back?

A. In the event of a formal 72-hour strike notice filed by the union and the subsequent cancellation of certain flights, Air Transat will meet all its obligations as a carrier to accommodate its travellers.

Air Transat flight

• If the strike is called and your clients’ flight is cancelled, they will receive a new ticket on the next available flight, or on a partner’s flight if such an option exists, within 48 hours of the original departure time, or a refund of any unused portion of the trip.
• In the event of refusal of the alternative proposed by Air Transat, the traveller would be entitled to a refund of the unused ticket.

Transat packages

• For those who have booked a package and are at destination and whose stay may be extended, Transat will assume and cover any additional costs incurred.
• In the event of refusal of the alternative proposed by Air Transat, the traveller would be entitled to a refund of the unused ticket.

Source: Travelweek