Porter pilots take step toward ALPA representation

Porter Airlines pilots on Thursday (July 3) filed membership cards with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), taking the next step toward joining the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA).

If certified, which is expected to take three to four weeks, Porter pilots will become ALPA’s 43rd pilot group.

“Welcoming the Porter pilots into ALPA will further advance the interests of commercial airline pilots and strengthen aviation safety and security," said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president, in a press release. “If certified for ALPA representation, the Porter pilots will make our ranks more than 80,000 strong, continuing the significant growth of unionized pilots in North America.”

Porter Airlines represents the fourth-largest pilot group in Canada and is currently the largest non-unionized carrier in the country.

ALPA currently represents 95 per cent of airline pilots in Canada, and in recent years, has welcomed thousands of pilots from Canadian carriers including Air Canada, PAL Airlines, Air Borealis, Perimeter Aviation, Morningstar Air Express, PAL Aerospace, Cargojet, and Flair.

"The Porter pilots joining ALPA alongside our 21 current Canadian pilot groups adds to our strength and unified voice for professional pilots in Canada,” said Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president, in a statement. "Together we can build an unbreakable coalition that will transform working conditions and safety standards across the Canadian industry.”

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