The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has released a statement saying it is “appalled” by the news of the closure of the Air Transat base at Vancouver International Airport, which will impact more than 200 flight attendant positions.

The union says “this very bad news” is somewhat mitigated by the fact that all these flight attendants will have the opportunity to be reassigned to bases in Montreal and Toronto.

CUPE says it will work to negotiate adequate severance pay for its members who lose their jobs, as well as help and assistance in moving allowances for those willing to change bases.

"Despite our understanding of the economic imperatives that have forced Air Transat to make this terrible decision, our employer must keep in mind that the vast majority of our members at our Vancouver base have dedicated decades of loyal services to the company,” said Dominic Levasseur, President of CUPE's Air Transat Component.

“Transat must take responsibility for its employees who will be laid off or need to transfer thousands of kilometers away. The union will do everything possible to obtain the best conditions for its members."

Air Transat's Component is part of CUPE's Airline Division, which represents more than 18,500 flight attendants working across Canada at Air Transat, Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Sunwing, WestJet, Swoop, Encore, Calm Air, Canadian North, Pivot Airlines, Flair Airlines, PAL and Pascan.