Pilot Group News
Canada
WestJet Encore Pilots Approve First-Ever Collective Agreement
On May 2, WestJet Encore pilots ratified their first-ever collective agreement with WestJet Airlines. Of the 90 percent of eligible pilots who cast ballots, 92 percent voted in favour of the agreement, which includes increased wages, stronger job security, and improved working conditions.
“Throughout negotiations, we continued to communicate with our pilots and their elected representatives and made the best use of the vast ALPA resources to achieve our goal of getting a good first deal for our pilots,” said Capt. Ryan Petrie, the pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) chair. “This agreement represents a step in the right direction, bringing our pilot wages closer to levels in line with our industry peers, along with enhancing our work rules and benefit structure.”
The pilots entered negotiations with management in June 2018. After several months of bargaining that ended with the help of a mediator, they reached their first collective agreement. The five-year deal is effective back to Jan. 1, 2019, with implementation of many items upon ratification, and provides increases in wages and improvements to working conditions and quality of life for the pilot group.
“This contract is thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our WestJet Encore negotiators and elected leaders, our pilots, and ALPA staff,” acknowledged Capt. Ryan Leier, the pilots’ MEC vice chair. “Thanks also go to airline management and the mediator for their efforts in working with us to reach this agreement.”
“This agreement is beneficial for the long-term sustainability of WestJet, WestJet Encore pilots, and all our WestJetters,” said John Aaron, WestJet Encore’s vice president and general manager. “We thank ALPA and the pilots’ Master Executive Council for their continued commitment and dedication to WestJet Encore pilots, and we’re pleased that by working together throughout this process we were able to solidify an agreement that is favourable to all parties.”
WestJet Encore pilots joined ALPA in 2017. The pilot group’s more than 500 members operate a fleet of 47 Bombardier Q400s from bases in Calgary, Alb., and Toronto, Ont.
PAL Pilots File Cards for ALPA Representation
On April 4, an overwhelming majority of PAL Airlines (including Air Borealis) pilots filed membership cards with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) asking to be represented by ALPA. It was the fastest card drive in the Association’s organizing history. Under Canadian regulations, the CIRB will now investigate the application for certification, which may include confirming the cards’ authenticity with those pilots who submitted one.
“We’re excited to soon welcome the pilots of PAL Airlines to our union,” said Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA’s president. “Pilots are strongest when they speak with one voice. By adding nearly 100 pilots, we’ll continue ALPA’s mission to strengthen and protect the piloting profession in Canada and the United States. We look forward to working with our new members and their employer to achieve the pilots’ contract and overall goals.”
When the CIRB completes its investigation, which could take up to 30 days, it will announce the decision concerning ALPA’s certification application. Once the CIRB is satisfied that ALPA has the support of the majority of the pilot group, the Association will become the legal bargaining representative for the approximately 100 PAL Airlines and Air Borealis pilots.
“We look forward to working with the PAL and Air Borealis pilots, expanding our ALPA family of Exchange Income Corporation pilot groups beyond Bearskin, Calm Air, and Wasaya,” said Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president. “From day one, ALPA’s vast resources will be at their disposal, and we’ll be ready to work with them in achieving a contract that secures their futures and enhances our profession as a whole.”
Fee for Departure
PSA Agreement Raises the Bar For Pilot Pay
On April 3, pilots at PSA Airlines announced that they’d reached an agreement with management that substantially raises the bar for wages in the regional airline industry.
“This agreement is the result of our mutual commitment to providing both our current and future pilots with the best possible career path in the airline industry,” said Capt. Steven Toothe, the PSA pilots’ Master Executive Council chair. “Our first officers will see hourly wage rate increases of up to nearly 20 percent above the regional industry average. Our captains will see wage rate increases of up to 12 percent above the regional industry average.”
In addition to increases of up to $12 per hour for all PSA pilots, highlights of the agreement include
- First-year first officer pay of $49.96 per hour, rising to $55.95 for a fourth-year first officer.
- An $18,000 signing bonus paid over two years.
- Captain hourly pay increases to ensure that pilots continue to progress at competitive rates as they upgrade until they flow to American Airlines.
- Premium pay for all hours flown above 75 per month.
Although the current collective bargaining agreement isn’t amendable until 2023, management and the pilots recognized the need to make improvements now to stay competitive in a rapidly changing regional airline environment.
“We applaud PSA pilots and management for working together to create a competitive salary structure that will help attract and retain highly trained and qualified pilots,” said Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA’s president. “The Association has long maintained that competitive wages, an adequate work/life balance, and career progression are key to attracting and maintaining a strong pipeline of pilots to the profession. Through this new agreement, PSA pilots worked to ensure that, from recruitment to retirement, their airline is a top contender for aviators at any stage of their career.”
PSA has been undergoing dynamic growth. When the current contract was signed in April 2013, the carrier, based in Dayton, Ohio, employed approximately 550 pilots. Now, more than 1,900 pilots operate PSA flights under the American Eagle brand.
PSA Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines and operates 150 regional jets on 800 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations, including bases in Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio; and Norfolk, Va.
MECs Continue to Build Stronger Pilot-to-Pilot Programs
On April 10, 32 pilots from three Master Executive Councils (MECs)—Endeavor Air, CommutAir, and Sun Country—gathered at ALPA’s offices in Herndon, Va., to learn about the Pilot-to-Pilot (P2P) program and receive training to become P2P volunteers. P2P helps strengthen two-way communication between line pilots and elected union leaders.
The daylong training, coordinated through ALPA’s Strategic Member Development & Resources Department, was supported by Capt. Wes Reed (FedEx Express), ALPA’s Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee chair. Because more than three quarters of the pilots were first-time ALPA volunteers, the agenda included information on
ALPA’s history, industry outlook, finances, and legal guidelines. MEC chairs or officers participated in person or via conference call during lunch to discuss MEC-specific issues and answer the new volunteers’ questions. P2P planning sessions by groups were held the following day.
Mainline
Delta Pilots Present Opening Contract Proposal
On April 5, the Delta pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) chair and Negotiating Committee presented the company with their opening proposal to officially begin direct negotiations under the federal Railway Labor Act.
Delta’s nearly 14,500 pilots have provided the union with feedback on negotiating priorities over the last year. “Delta has recovered to become an investment-grade enterprise that’s the envy of the industry in terms of performance, profitability, and customer service,” said Capt. Ryan Schnitzler, the pilots’ MEC chair. “Our pilots sacrificed greatly during the bankruptcy era and are seeking to restore the value lost in key areas such as retirement, insurance, compensation, job security, and scope,” he observed.
“Our negotiators are prepared to diligently work with management at every available opportunity to achieve a new agreement,” remarked Schnitzler. “As management has demonstrated in past negotiations, I’m optimistic that the company will once again be equally focused on reaching a timely, industry-leading contract.”
The pilots’ current contract becomes amendable on Dec. 31, 2019.
Alaska MEC Joins Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition
In late March, the pilots of the Oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition (OCCC) voted to add the Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) as a full member at the OCCC’s semiannual meeting in London, England, hosted by the British Airline Pilots’ Association. Capt. Will McQuillen, the pilots’ MEC chair, and Capt. John Sluys, the MEC’s Scope, Alliance, and Code Share chair, attended on behalf of the Alaska pilots. Because Alaska Airlines has added more code-share agreements with Oneworld alliance airlines, members of the OCCC realized the importance of including the Alaska pilots as voting members.
“One of our strategic goals is to be engaged with the pilots who fly for the partner airlines of Alaska,” said McQuillen. “Being a full voting member of the OCCC means that we can further expand our relationships with pilots around the world as we seek to collectively improve, protect, and enhance all our careers.”
Sluys has attended OCCC meetings as an observer for several years and now will serve as the delegate to the OCCC.
“It takes time to develop a relationship and build trust, especially on an international level. These relationships with our peers are vital to our future,” said Sluys. “Our companies meet and discuss strategy and develop complex commercial agreements as they build worldwide networks. Pilots must take a similar approach to ensure that we’re on equal footing and aware of the landscape around us. It’s important to share our experiences and discuss our safety and industrial concerns in a way that helps each other. Pilot alliances are one of the best ways to do this.”
The OCCC is composed of the member associations representing the pilots of Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LATAM Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and Qantas.
Regional
Frontier Pilots Elect MEC Officers
In late March, the Frontier pilots elected Master Executive Council (MEC) officers to lead the airline’s 1,400 pilots.
Elected were Capt. Tracy Smith as MEC chair, Capt. Paul Kesely as MEC vice chair, and Capt. Alan Christie as MEC secretary-treasurer. The officers’ two-year terms took effect on April 1.
Smith was reelected to a second term as MEC chair. An Airbus 320/321 pilot based in Orlando, Fla., he’s been with Frontier since 2013.
Kesely was elected to his first term as MEC vice chair. He’s an Airbus 320/321 pilot who’s been with the airline since 2003.
Christie was reelected to his first full term as MEC secretary-treasurer. He’s a Las Vegas, Nev.-based Airbus 320/321 pilot and has been with Frontier since 2003.
