Cargojet

Working to Deliver the Pilots’ First ALPA Contract

For a good portion of 2025, the pilots of Cargojet were engaged in early contract negotiations with the company.

While the pilot group’s current collective agreement doesn’t expire until June 30, 2026, a pilot survey indicated overwhelming support to open contract talks early. In July, the pilots served the company a Notice to Bargain to negotiate their first collective agreement under ALPA representation. The pilot group is seeking a contract that reflects their skills and professionalism and paves the way for a strong pilot group and profitable company.

In July and August, the airline announced the extension of cargo contracts for Amazon and DHL, respectively. The DHL agreement was extended to 2033, with an option to renew until 2037, and the Amazon contract was extended until 2029, with a renewal option until 2031. These contracts account for nearly half of all Cargojet flying.

While these contract extensions were welcome news, the pilots understand that the sustainability and stability of these business relationships are dependent on a strong, qualified, and healthy pilot workforce. “To maintain the trust of Cargojet’s clients and uphold the pilot group’s excellent performance standards, Cargojet management must acknowledge the critical value pilots bring to the operation and prioritize pilot retention and labour stability in the next collective agreement,” said Capt. Adam Brochu, the pilot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC) chair.

“With a tough but fair negotiating strategy, the Cargojet MEC, with the support of ALPA, looks forward to negotiating and producing a contract that the Cargojet membership can stand behind,” Brochu remarked.

Cargojet pilots sent a resounding message to their management that they wanted a pilots’ union who would fight for them and protect their interests, such as challenging management’s recent attempts to water down the federal rules governing pilot rest requirements.

Cargojet MEC