Flights out of Kamloops Airport are not expected to be affected if Air Canada customer service and sales employees walk off the job Monday.

Air Canada Express - formerly Air Canada Jazz - is a separate company and won't be affected by any work stoppages, said Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah.

"It will continue to be business as usual," Mah said.

She also offered reassurance for local passengers who have connecting flights with Air Canada.

"In the event of a work stoppage, we do have a contingency plan and we fully intend to continue our operations."

Ed Ratuski, manager of airport operations in Kamloops, was told the same.

"Right now, we're not expecting any issues here," he said.

Negotiations between the airline and the Canadian Auto Workers are continuing through the weekend in an effort to avert job action.

"We are still expecting to reach a settlement before the deadline."

A key issue in the talks is a company proposal to change pension plans.

The CAW, which represents 3,800 Air Canada customer service and airport workers, was in a position to serve 72 hours notice on Friday for a strike beginning at midnight June 13. The union has already dismissed the idea of rotating strikes such as those by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers across the country.

However, both the company and the union are committed to continue negotiating until the last minute.

Contract negotiations began in March.