Sept 15 (Askume) – Air Canada (ACT.TO) said on Sunday it had reached a tentative agreement with its pilots union on a new four-year collective deal that would avoid strikes or work stoppages in the near future .
Canada’s largest airline said in a statement that the terms of its new agreement with the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents more than 5,200 pilots, will remain confidential until a ratification vote by its members is completed next month.
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operate approximately 670 flights per day, and the airline said it would continue to operate flights as normal.
Pending a tentative deal, the airline was preparing to cancel flights over three days and cease operations completely by 12:01 am (0401GMT) on Wednesday, September 18.
ALPA said in a separate statement that its leaders have approved a tentative agreement with Air Canada pending member approval.
Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon tweeted that the hard work of all parties and federal mediators prevented a travel disruption for Canadians.
Air Canada pilots are demanding pay levels that close the pay gap with pilots at major U.S. airlines such as United Airlines (UAL.O) .
