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Monday,  December 2, 2024   3:24 PM
Air Canada joins world's largest pilots union
(Air Canada)

Air Canada has joined the world's largest pilots union. 

The Executive Board of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) approved by acclamation the merger between the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) and ALPA on Wednesday (May 17). 

Following the vote, the presidents of both organizations signed the merger agreement. Air Canada now becomes ALPA’s 40th pilot group, growing the association to more than 73,000 members.

“We are excited to welcome our colleagues at Air Canada to ALPA, and through this merger, we have reached another significant milestone in our work to advance the profession, keep flying safe, and promote the power of unionism. Together, our combined union will have greater strength in negotiating collective agreements, advancing pilots’ interests, and protecting labor rights,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president. “Adding their voice to our collective strength unifies the profession in an enormous way.”

The ALPA is the same union that's currently embroiled in a labour dispute with WestJet, which is (as of Thursday morning) less than 24 hours away from its pilots going on strike. 

Effective immediately

The merger agreement goes into effect immediately, and all representation rights transfer from ACPA to ALPA with notification to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. 

The two sides reached a merger agreement in principle in March, and Air Canada pilots voted overwhelmingly to ratify the deal on May 1.

“This is a monumental time for Air Canada pilots,” said ACPA Master Elected Council chair First Officer Charlene Hudy. “By merging with ALPA, 95 percent of all professional Canadian pilots are represented by one union with one voice. With the collective strength of over 73,000 pilots in North America, we look forward to working toward a better future for the piloting profession and aviation industry as a whole.”

“Unity among all pilots is our greatest strength and today, Canadian pilots across the nation are unified with a strong voice. ALPA is committed to advancing the profession and aviation safety, and with the addition of our Air Canada colleagues, we have dramatically increased ALPA’s presence across the nation, making us stronger in negotiations and on Parliament Hill.” added Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president.

Air Canada employs more than 4,500 pilots. 


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