Air Canada's pilots say they only make half of their American counterparts and don't want to proceed with a strike...but their employer needs to meet them halfway to avoid one.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, the union representing Air Canada's pilots, could proceed with strike action as early as mid-September if a deal isn't reached with the airline on some key issues.
First Officer Charlene Hudy, chair of Air Canada’s ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) told V.I.A. the union hopes to avoid a strike and wants to see significant changes to the pilots' contract.
"We're trying to reach an agreement with Air Canada and avoid a strike," she said. "We're not in a legal position to strike or have job action until mid to late September in Canada."
The union says Air Canada's proposals fall "substantially short" of recently ratified contracts at comparative airlines, such as United, Delta, and American.
"We are focused on achieving a deal with Air Canada. We are asking them to show up, negotiate, and close the gap. We have a concern with the wages. The pilots I represent are making half of what pilots in the U.S. do," she said.
Union hopes Air Canada will offer improved, modern contract
Hudy said the pilots hope their employer will modernize the "stale and outdated" 10-year contract and offer "fair compensation, respectable retirement benefits, and quality-of-life improvements." The union has been in contract negotiations with management since June 2023 and is currently in federal conciliation until Aug. 26. After this, a 21-day cooling off period will commence.
ALPA will vote on a strike ballot on Thursday, Aug. 22 and may strike as early as Sept. 17. Hudy said they don't have the legal authority to strike before this date and may elect to strike later, too.
The union will meet with AC in the coming days and wants to avoid a strike. Hudy stressed that the pilots she represents "are incredibly professional about transporting passengers" and want to avoid potential flight disruptions.
"We don't like flight delays more than passengers. My pilots show up to work prepared to do the job," she emphasized.
ALPA must also issue a 72-hour notice if it decides to strike on Sept. 17.
Air Canada weighs in on possible strike
An Air Canada spokesperson confirmed the airline is in negotiations with the union representing its pilots under the guidance of a federal conciliator.
"Already, we have reached agreement on several items," reads a statement to V.I.A. "We are working actively to reach [an] agreement on the remaining issues with an aim to finalize a deal over the next several weeks.
"Under federal labour law, there can be no action taken by either side until mid-September at the very earliest, and therefore it is business as usual, with Air Canada operating as normal."
Air Canada has a webpage dedicated to the pilot talks and other negotiations.
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