Air Canada pilots union to seek conciliator in stalled contract negotiations

Air Canada pilots announced on Sunday (June 2) their intent to request the minister of labour assign a federal conciliator to assist with stalled contract negotiations with the airline.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents more than 5,000 Air Canada pilots, said in a video message that the two sides are still not close to a deal following a year of contract talks, including almost six months of voluntary mediation.

Charlene Hudy, head of the union’s Air Canada contingent, noted in the video that the pilots will be leaving the voluntary process on June 15.

“Unfortunately, Air Canada continues to undervalue your contributions to the success of this airline,” she said.

Air Canada said in a statement that it remains committed to achieving “a fair, negotiated agreement.”

“Air Canada has worked hard and in good faith to reach a new collective agreement with ALPA under the bargaining protocol and the talks conducted under the bargaining protocol led to significant progress,” it said.

The airline said it will continue to attempt to reach an agreement with pilots under the normal bargaining process.

It also said customers can continue to book and travel on Air Canada without concern.

The airline’s pilots are seeking to narrow a wage gap with their higher-paid U.S. counterparts, who landed record contracts last year amid strong demand for air travel.

Hudy has called the wage gap between Canadian and American pilots “unacceptable.”

In January, ALPA and Air Canada entered into a mediation protocol agreement with a professional mediator to facilitate negotiations.

Since entering mediation, ALPA said the two parties were successful in reaching “some agreements,” but “numerous items remain outstanding.”

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