The Air Canada pilots group said Tuesday it has invoked a clause to end its 10-year collective agreement a year early and launch negotiations over a new one.
The move comes after about 1,800 pilots at WestJet and budget subsidiary Swoop settled on a tentative deal this month that secures a 24 per cent wage increase over four years, as well as more flexible scheduling and a big boost to per diems.
"The Air Canada pilots are looking forward to working with the company towards a contract that addresses career progression and job security issues for its pilots, and closes the growing wage gap between the U.S. and Canada," said Air Line Pilots Association spokeswoman Camilla Castro in an email. The merger with the Air Canada Pilots Association, which WestJet flight crews also belong to, means 95 per cent of professional Canadian pilots are represented by a single union, according to Charlene Hudy, the Air Canada union's council chair.
The pending negotiations come as airlines face intense domestic and cross-border competition from ultra-low-cost carriers such as Flair Airlines and Lynx Air, as Canadian airlines look to return to profit after hundreds of millions of dollars in losses during the pandemic.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Air Canada pilots look to start bargaining early after WestJet pay hikeThe pilots union at the country's biggest airline has opened the gate to bargaining ahead of time — as early as this summer.
Read more »
Air Canada pilots look to start bargaining early after WestJet pay hikeThe pilots union at the country's largest airline has opened the gate to bargaining ahead of time - as early as next month, amid peak travel season - adding pressure to an industry under scrutiny after a rocky year.
Read more »
Air Canada pilots look to start bargaining early after WestJet pay hikeThe pilots union at the country\u0027s biggest airline has opened the gate to bargaining ahead of time \u002D\u002D as early as this summer.
Read more »
Air Canada pilots open door to bargaining this summerAir Canada pilots have ended 10-year contract framework, according to a note to union members
Read more »
What to know as Air Canada pilots eye possible bargaining this summer - National | Globalnews.caAir Canada pilots have previously said they are pressing for 'historic' gains to narrow the earnings gap with higher-paid aviators at U.S. carriers.
Read more »
Air Canada pilots end 10-year contract framework amid push for 'historic' wage gainsAir Canada\u0027s pilots have ended a decade\u002Dlong contract framework, opening the door to \u0022full bargaining this summer,\u0022 the union said. Read on.
Read more »