Release #: EIC 22.01
November 01, 2022

EIC Pilots from Six Airlines Gather in Show of Unity During ALPA’s 49th Regular Board of Directors Meeting


OTTAWA, ONT—Representatives from six Exchange Income Corporation (EIC)-owned properties spoke during the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l 49th regular biennial Board of Directors (BOD) meeting October 17–20. The representatives included Master Executive Council (MEC) chairs from Bearskin Airlines, Calm Air, PAL Airlines/Air Borealis, PAL Aerospace, Perimeter Aviation, and Wasaya.

“ALPA’s BOD meeting provided an opportunity for pilot leadership to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of each of our pilot groups,” said Capt. Riley Box, Perimeter Airlines MEC chair. “Meeting face-to-face for the first time has also strengthened our unity and resolve to work together more closely in the future.”

Over the past five years, the number of ALPA-represented pilot groups from EIC-owned airline properties has doubled from three to six, with the pilots making up nearly 10 percent of ALPA’s Canadian membership.

Some of the mature pilot groups, represented by ALPA since the 1980s and ’90s, have developed a respectful relationship with their management groups. However, some of the pilot groups that have recently sought ALPA representation are frustrated by employers who have routinely ignored fundamental provisions of the collective agreement process and otherwise demonstrated an intent to avoid bargaining in good faith.

“Our pilots will always remain professional and committed to the success of all EIC-owned airlines,” said Capt. Robert Maxwell, Bearskin Airlines MEC chair. “However, we must remain unified in our approach to working with our respective managements to ensure we achieve solid collective agreements and ensure that those agreements are implemented and administered correctly.” 

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 65,000 pilots at 40 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

-###-

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