Air Canada and its pilots reached a tentative deal ahead of a possible strike in September but the vote hasn't closed.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, the union representing Air Canada's pilots, reached a temporary, four-year collective agreement with Air Canada ahead of the Sept. 15 deadline. However, the deal hasn't been ratified; the vote closes at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10.
First Officer Charlene Hudy, chair of Air Canada’s ALPA Master Executive Council, told V.I.A. in a previous interview that the pilots wanted a significantly higher wage commensurate with their counterparts south of the border. They also wanted a contract with better benefits and quality-of-life improvements.
Hudy said the Air Canada pilots she represents are "making half of what pilots in the U.S. do" despite working for Canada's flag carrier.
Air Canada said the new agreement recognizes the "contributions and professionalism of Air Canada's pilot group," while providing a blueprint for the airline's future growth.
Air Canada pilot's contract details are confidential
Full contract terms remain confidential until the contract has been ratified but the agreement "will generate an approximate additional $1.9 billion of value for Air Canada pilots," according to ALPA.
“While it has been an exceptionally long road to this agreement, the consistent engagement and unified determination of our pilots have been the catalyst for achieving this contract,” said Hudy in a press release.
Hudy added that "progress was made on several key issues, including compensation, retirement, and work rules" and a ratified deal would replace the pilot's "outdated and stale decade-old, 10-year framework.”
Air Canada has a webpage dedicated to the pilot talks and other negotiations.
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