ALPA Canada Pilots Make Their Case on Parliament Hill

En français

OTTAWA, Ont.—ALPA Canada leadership was joined this week by elected ALPA representatives from across Canada to speak with Members of Parliament and Senators on Parliament Hill. The topics of discussion focused on flight- and duty-time (FT/DT) issues and the impact of governmental interference in the collective bargaining process.  

ALPA Canada continues to advocate for continued discussion and collaboration on the effectiveness of the current regulations and whether they effectively mitigate fatigue, enhance safety, and meet their original intent.

“ALPA Canada opposes any attempt to weaken or suspend FT/DT regulations, which are fundamentally safety regulations,” said Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president. “We believe there is a need for increased collaboration with government and aviation stakeholders to collectively enhance safety standards.”

ALPA Canada is also calling for the implementation of a more transparent and inclusive policy-making process to ensure that all relevant parties, including ALPA Canada, have the opportunity to contribute to discussions and decisions regarding aviation policy and regulations.

Regarding free and fair collective bargaining, ALPA Canada has witnessed, over the past two years, a worrying trend of the Canadian government forcing outcomes at the bargaining table, thereby playing into underhanded employer tactics by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to settlethe outstanding terms of the collective agreements between employers and workers, while imposing final binding arbitration.

“ALPA Canada believes it is always in the best interests of both sides to negotiate contracts in good faith at the negotiating table,” Capt. Perry continued. “When parties are directed to bargain in good faith and remain at the bargaining table to put in the hard work required, a better outcome is often reached for all sides involved.” 

ALPA remains committed to working with the government and other aviation stakeholders to ensure Canadians have the safest and most robust aviation industry possible.   

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.