Release #: JAZ 19.02
January 31, 2019

Jazz Pilots Ratify Game-Changing Tentative Agreement

TORONTO—This afternoon, Jazz Aviation pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), ratified an unprecedented 10-year extension to their current collective agreement with management that includes significant improvements such as job-security provisions, enhanced career progression, and accelerates pay rates for pilots. 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 today’s 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, chairman of the Jazz chapter of ALPA. “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 (76-seat aircraft) and 12 CRJ200s (50-seat aircraft) 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 the 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, chairman of the Air Georgian chapter of ALPA.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 61,000 pilots at 33 airlines in Canada and the United States, including Air Georgian, Air Transat, Bearskin, Calm Air, Canadian North, First Air, Jazz Aviation, Kelowna Flightcraft, Sky Regional, Wasaya, WestJet, and WestJet Encore. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

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