Representatives from Bearskin Lake Air Service Ltd. and the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) have announced that they have reached a long term labour agreement, after five months of negotiations.

Mr. Harvey Friesen, President of Bearskin Airlines, said, “This labour agreement accomplishes two goals. It allows for stability today and provides for growth in our future.”

Additionally, Mr. Cliff Friesen, Executive Vice President of Bearskin Airlines stated that “both parties understand the market pressures on today’s airline industry and are pleased with our new labour agreement.”

“The Bearskin Airlines pilots are confident in our company’s future and extremely pleased with the excellent cooperation from Bearskin Airlines senior management in achieving this agreement,” said Captain Dan Parnham, Chairman of the Bearskin Airlines unit of ALPA.

“Both sides approached this round of collective bargaining seeking stability not only for our members but also for the future of our company.”

Contract improvements in wages, sick leave, scheduling and pension were the top issues for the pilot group and are the foundation of this newly agreed upon labour agreement.

Bearskin Lake Air Service Ltd. was founded in 1963 and is one of the largest commuter air carriers in Northern Ontario, employing over 220 people. It operates over 200 arrivals and departures daily to 15 destinations in Ontario and Manitoba.

Scheduled service ranges from Flin Flon, MB in the west to Ottawa, ON in the east. 

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.bearskinairlines.com