Pilot Group News

Canada

Jazz Pilots Ratify Game-Changing Tentative Agreement

On January 31, Jazz Aviation pilots ratified an unprecedented 10-year extension to their current collective agreement with management that contains significant improvements, including job-security provisions, enhanced career progression, and accelerated pay rates. The deal also includes amendments to a capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with Chorus Aviation Inc., parent company of Jazz Aviation LP, and Air Canada through 2035. Of the 92 percent of eligible pilots who participated in the vote, 72 percent voted in favour of the tentative agreement.

“This agreement is a game-changer for the regional airline sector in Canada and ensures that Jazz will be the premier Air Canada Express operator of larger dual-class aircraft,” said Capt. Claude Buraglia, the pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) chair. “It also ensures that our pilots will be flying these aircraft through the next 17 years.”

Under the terms of the CPA, the Jazz fleet will expand with the addition of 14 CRJ900s and 12 CRJ200s from Air Georgian. All Air Georgian pilots who wish to seek employment at Jazz will be able to do so as part of the new arrangement.

“This opportunity provides Air Georgian pilots an ability to work for a stable carrier with a more mature contract and broader coast-to-coast operations,” said Capt. Jim Macarthur, the Air Georgian pilots’ MEC chair.

WestJet MEC Hosts Contract Information Sessions

In mid-January, WestJet Master Executive Council (MEC) leaders, ALPA representatives, and WestJet Negotiating Committee members hosted a series of contract information sessions for the pilots to discuss their first collective agreement.

The scheduled information sessions, which were held coast to coast, kicked off in Vancouver, B.C., and approximately 80 pilots were in attendance. The pilots were provided with additional information about the recent contract decision handed down by Arbitrator William Kaplan and other important details regarding their first collective agreement.

Following an extensive two-hour briefing by the Negotiating Committee, a Q&A session took place that led to a robust conversation on a number of topics, including changes to current WestJet working conditions, Swoop working conditions, trip and duty rigs, sick pay, and retirement benefits.

Well-attended information sessions also took place in Calgary, Alb., with attendees receiving detailed information about the full contract and Kaplan’s ruling.

 

Fee for Departure

United MEC Holds CPP Meeting for Express Carrier Pilots

On February 5, the United Master Executive Council (MEC) hosted a meeting for ALPA pilot leaders from United Express carriers to discuss the United Career Path Program (CPP). This meeting was the first time that pilot representatives from United Express carriers have met with United MEC leaders to collaborate on the progress and status of the CPP, which provides expedited interviews to ALPA pilots flying for United’s Express carriers.

Capt. Todd Insler, the United MEC chair, led the meeting at the United MEC office in Rosemont, Ill., with pilot leaders from Air Wisconsin, CommutAir, ExpressJet, and Mesa.

F/O Mike Hamilton (United), an ALPA executive vice president, gave an update on United’s hiring forecast and reviewed the CPP interview process. He also provided a strategic view of the CPP at United’s Express carriers and universities. He then reviewed current results from an ongoing survey of ALPA pilots working at CPP carriers regarding their impression of the CPP.

Paul Karg, the lead economic and financial analyst in ALPA’s Economic & Financial Analysis Department, provided the latest industry overview with a focus on the fee-for-departure sector. F/O Lindsey Van Beusekom (ExpressJet), ALPA’s Fee-for-Departure Committee chair, led a discussion on the common negotiating positions between all United Express carriers, including deadhead deviation and reserve rules.

 

Mainline

Alaska Pilots Deliver Shutdown Lunch to SeaTac Air Traffic Controllers

The week of January 21, members of the Alaska Master Executive Council demonstrated their support for air traffic controllers at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, who at the time were still working without pay through the government shutdown, by bringing them lunch at work.

To view a video of the event, go to https://bit.ly/SEATACevent.

 

Regional

Sun Country Pilots Comment on New Portland Pilot Base

“On Wednesday, February 6, Sun Country Airlines notified ALPA of its intention to open a new pilot domicile in Oregon at Portland International Airport later this year,” the Sun Country pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) announced on February 7. “The company has asked to open negotiations with ALPA on the new base, as is called for in the pilot collective bargaining agreement.” The first meeting between the two parties was scheduled to be held February 11 in Minneapolis, Minn.

“We look forward to productive negotiations with the company on how best to create this new domicile,” commented the MEC.