Two-Year Deal Includes Improvements In Scheduling And Working Conditions

Pilots flying for Keewatin Air, a subsidiary of the Exchange Income Corporation announced that they have secured a two-year contract with management.

The pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) and this is the first-ever collective bargaining agreement between pilots and the airline.

The contract includes improvements in working conditions and scheduling as well as industry-competitive increases in per diems. Keewatin Air serves Nunavut and all of the Canadian Arctic with both air ambulance and charter operations, and the pilots are proud of their air medical service, which is recognized as one of the best in Canada. The Keewatin pilots joined the ALPA just a little over a year ago, and the union’s Keewatin leadership unanimously voted to send the contract to the pilot group for membership ratification.

Captain Lahiru Gunawardhana, chair of the Keewatin ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) said, “I am proud of the contract we were able to achieve for our pilot group. This new contract sets the stage for our new relationship with management as ALPA pilots while maintaining fair and industry-standard working conditions. Work-life balance is crucial to the success and well-being of our pilots, and this agreement reflects our endeavour.”

“Overtime pay and improvements to scheduling and quality of life items will align our pilots with their peers across Canada. This first collective agreement will help both our Company and the Association with pilot recruitment and retention to make Keewatin more attractive,” Gunawardhana added.

FMI:  www.keewatinair.ca/