The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that a tentative agreement reached hours before a strike deadline averted a work stoppage by Air Transat's pilots on Tuesday night. The Globe's Eric Atins writes that the Montreal carrier and the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents its 750 pilots, have been in talks for close to a year, seeking to replace an agreement reached in 2015. Negotiations in Montreal were taking place almost around the clock. Details of the deal, which must be approved by union members at a coming vote, were not immediately available. The union said the agreement is a "modern contract" that "recognizes the professional contributions of Air Transat pilots." The airline began suspending flights on Tuesday in order to limit the number of stranded passengers, crews and aircraft. It planned to shut down by Wednesday. Pilots were seeking better pay and working conditions, trying to keep up with their counterparts at Air Canada and other airlines. Air Canada pilots last year approved a four-year deal that came with a 42-per-cent pay hike. McGill University's John Gradek said Transat pilots in the middle of the seniority list made about $200,000 a year compared with $300,000 at Air Canada.