Union Shows Dedication To Negotiating ‘Fair’ Compensation

On August 22, Air Canada pilots voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a union strike. This potential walkout could uproot flight plans for travelers across Canada.

The pilots are being backed by the AirLine Pilots Association (ALPA). The organization was founded in 1931 and has grown into one of the largest airline pilot unions in the world. They represent nearly 80,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines. 5,400 of these pilots work at Air Canada.

Air Canada’s current pilot contract was published in 2014. They reopened negotiations for an updated agreement in June 2023, just a year before it was set to expire. The dispute grew at the beginning of 2024, leading to the pilot union filing a notice of disagreement in June. To support the pilot negotiations, ALPA executives authorized a $5 million grant. This was a unanimous decision for the organization.

98% of participating Air Canada pilots voted to authorize a strike if necessary. This would add to the list of existing labor conflicts and delay travel across the country.

“Our goal is to avoid a strike, and our focus remains on modernizing our contract for Air Canada pilots,” explained First Officer Charlene Hudy, who serves as chair of the Air Canada ALPA Master Executive Council. “However, management continues to force us closer to a strike position by not listening to our needs at the negotiating table regarding fair compensation, respectable retirement benefits, and quality-of-life improvements.”

If Air Canada and their pilots cannot come to an agreement, the union will be in legal standing to strike as early as mid-September. This trails the current conciliation period and a required 21-day cool-down.

“After more than a year of negotiations,” Hudy continued, “management must now come to the realization that if they fail to reach an agreement, they will be responsible for us withdrawing our services.”

FMI: www.aircanadapilots.ca