Five-Year Agreement Includes Pay, Work Rule, And Quality-Of-Life Improvements

Pilots at Winnipeg-based Calm Air have ratified a new five-year contract that includes pay increases, streamlined work rules, and quality-of-life improvements. Eighty-six percent of eligible pilots voted in favor of the agreement, which will expire on April 30, 2018. The new contract includes automatic, across-the-board cost-of-living pay increases for the entire pilot group and adds additional increases based on individual pilots’ years of service.

“We’re especially pleased that we were able to negotiate preferential seniority language for new hires who come from other ALPA carriers or other airlines owned by Calm Air’s holding company,” said Capt. Dan Cowan, chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association’s (ALPA) Calm Air Master Executive Council.

It took just a few weeks for ALPA and the airline’s negotiators to come to terms, using an interest-based negotiations model assisted by a government facilitator. The pilots ratified the tentative agreement on June 14.

In addition to the pay increases, Cowan said changes in work rules will make it easier for pilots to choose where they want to live and what kind of flying they prefer to do. The contract sets up special scheduling options for pilots who operate bulk fuel flights, and creates a joint union/company committee to investigate means of reducing pilot fatigue.

“We feel this new contract is a win for both the pilot group and the company because it provides our members real gains while helping the airline remain competitive,” Cowan said.

ALPA is the bargaining representative for the 80 pilots of Calm Air.

FMI: www.alpa.org