Air Transat flight attendants reject tentative deal for a second time

The union representing 2,100 Air Transat flight attendants says they have rejected a tentative agreement for the second time this year.

Some 82 per cent of the votes cast were opposed to the would-be deal, which the Canadian Union of Public Employees had reached with the airline in early January.

The union says the compensation for hours worked before takeoff and after landing remained a key sticking point.

2:31 Business Matters: Air Transat strike looms after flight attendants reject tentative deal

Flight attendants also voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new strike mandate, which will remain in effect until April 1.

The union, which rejected the first tentative agreement on Jan. 2, says the parties will return to the bargaining table quickly.

Flight crews at the Montreal-based carrier, which is owned by tour operator Transat, first voted for a strike mandate by more than 99 per cent in November after their contract expired in the fall of 2022.