Air Transat strike threat averted

MONTREAL – Air Transat and the union representing its 1,500 flight attendants said Saturday they have reached a tentative agreement for a new contract, ending the threat of strike.

The two parties had been arguing for close to nine months over sticking points such as pensions and shift length after the workers’ contract expired last November.

Last month, flight attendants rejected Air Transat’s latest offer and voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.

A statement from Air Transat Saturday said the company was "satisfied" with the proposed five-year agreement.

Negotiators from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, who represented the flight attendants, would not comment on the agreement until it is presented to members for ratification.