Air Canada pilots voted by a majority of 84% in favor of a 10-year contract that allows the country’s biggest passenger carrier to use arbitration or mediation to resolve disputes.
Captain Craig Blandford, President of the Air Canada Pilots Association ACPA), said he was pleased his members voted to support the new agreement, which he believes will provide them with stable and secure jobs, better career prospects, fair compensation and greater opportunities to gain a larger share of the company’s financial success.
Capt. Blandford added:
“As well, this new agreement will provide Air Canada with the stability and flexibility it needs to grow, which is good for us all.”
According to the ACPA, the new deal will provide Air Canada’s pilots with better work rules, pensions and pay. Until September 2024, pilots will have a mechanism to gain labor stability by achieving growth targets.
As long as these targets are met, any disputes emanating from negotiations in 2017, 2020 and 2024 will be resolved through an arbitration or mediation process. Arbitration is a non-judicial (not in the courts) process for settling disputes – it is usually cheaper and faster than using the courts.
(Photo, courtesy of Air Canada Pilots Association)
Air Canada says it welcomes Friday’s confirmation by the ACPA that its 3,000 members have backed a landmark agreement on collective agreement terms for a ten-year period.
President and CEO of Air Canada, Calin Rovinescu, said:
“This ten-year agreement with the Air Canada Pilots Association is a ground-breaking development which allows us to accelerate the implementation of our business strategy on a win-win basis with our pilots. The new agreement provides greater stability and long term cost certainty as well as a framework for a strong partnership with our pilots. It is also the most tangible indication of the shift in culture underway at Air Canada.”
Calin Rovinescu (Photo courtesy of Air Canada)
“With this agreement now in place, we can focus our efforts on long-term profitable growth at both Air Canada and rouge for the benefit of our employees and all of Air Canada’s stakeholders. I thank the teams representing both ACPA and management for their insight, commitment and determination in reaching this agreement.”
Air Canada says its Board of Directors has also approved the agreement.