Air Canada pilots see progress with mediator in fight for historic pay gains
Reuters
Published Feb 15, 2024 12:51PM ET
Updated Feb 15, 2024 03:37PM ET
By Allison Lampert
MONTREAL (Reuters) -Air Canada pilots are seeing progress in contract talks after a private independent mediator was hired to bridge gaps with the country’s largest carrier over pay and quality-of-life demands, a union representative said on Thursday.
Air Canada’s aviators, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), are pressing for historic gains to narrow a wage gap with higher-paid U.S. counterparts who secured record contracts in 2023 amid strong travel demand.
“We found that using this professional mediator in this private mediation agreement is starting to get the ball rolling,” said Charlene Hudy, who heads the local union representing Air Canada pilots.
Montreal-based Air Canada, which reports earnings on Friday, said in a statement that its goal is to give pilots an improved contract.
The carrier said an agreement reached with pilots in January largely commits both sides to mediation until June 1, with both sides agreeing to not file for conciliation, which starts the clock toward a potential strike or a lock out.
"This gives Air Canada customers certainty and the ability to book with full confidence for the important summer travel period," the carrier said.
“Right now, we’re committed to negotiating at the table,” Hudy said. “If we get to that point where there is an actual impasse at the table, then we would look at exercising our rights.”
About 500 Air Canada pilots are considering going to the United States “if the contract isn’t what they expect,” Hudy said, citing internal union survey data. Air Canada has about 4,500 pilots.
While flying in the United States involves a costly and long-term immigration process for foreigners, Reuters reported in September that more Canadian pilots are trying.
Air Canada's pilots started bargaining in the summer, after ending a decade-long contract framework.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.