Release #: PAL 22.05
September 09, 2022

PAL Airlines Pilots Ratify First-Ever Collective Agreement

Deal Reached After More Than Two Years of Negotiations


ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—PAL Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), ratified their first-ever collective agreement with PAL Airlines, a subsidiary of the Exchange Income Corporation. Of the 70 percent of eligible PAL pilots who cast ballots, 92 percent voted in favour of the agreement. The three-year contract includes many improvements, including increased compensation, stronger job-security protections, and improved working conditions. 

“For more than two years, PAL pilots demonstrated their full commitment to attaining a collective agreement that reflects the contributions they bring to the success of our airline and our community,” said Capt. Wanda Clarke, PAL pilot and Master Executive Council spokesperson. “By bringing pilot wages in line with our industry peers and enhancing our work rules significantly, we can be proud of what we have accomplished by negotiating a fair and equitable contract that works for both PAL pilots and our company.”

PAL pilots began negotiations with management in January 2020. Since then, the pilots continued to ensure the success of the airline despite a number of setbacks including the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, an unfair labour practice filing against the company, a conciliation filing, a 100 percent strike vote, and allegations of political interference which in effect stopped the pilots from using the provisions provided to them under the Canada Labour Code.

“This agreement is the first collective agreement concluded by the pilot group with PAL management,” continued Clarke. “It raises the quality of life for our pilots, in line with their peers, and will lead to our airline’s ability to retain our current workforce and attract other experienced pilots in the future.”

The contract will go into effect once signed.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 66,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPACanada and @ALPAPilots.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org