ACPA News

The union representing Air Canada pilots has launched an appeal in Ontario Superior Court to overturn federal back-to-work legislation passed last week.

Les pilotes d'Air Canada contesteront devant les tribunaux la constitutionnalité de la loi spéciale du gouvernement conservateur interdisant les arrêts de travail au sein de la compagnie aérienne.

I read with disappointment that Air Canada is asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to declare that the Air Canada Pilots Association authorized strike activity (Air Canada Duels With Pilots – March 19).

"Airline service across the country appeared to have returned to normal Monday after a chaotic travel weekend that was marred by a runway being knocked out at Toronto’s Pearson International, heavy fog, and a pilot shortage at Air Canada."

"TORONTO – Air Canada pilots are asking the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to rule that federal legislation passed last week, forcing them to fly and accept a contract imposed through arbitration...."

"Air Canada has asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to step in after an unusually high number of pilots phoned in sick over the weekend, forcing some flights to be cancelled or delayed."

"Air Canada’s operations appeared to be back to normal early Monday after a weekend that saw an unusually high number of pilots call in sick, causing some flights to be cancelled or delayed."

Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae says the federal government violated the constitutional rights of airline workers to strike when it legislated them back to work early Wednesday morning.

Frustrated Air Canada pilots say they may be forced to stay home from stress or look for jobs elsewhere now that back-to-work legislation prevents them from striking amid a labour dispute.

"During last summer and fall and again during the past week, there were numerous accusations by opposition MPs and truly remarkable hand wringing by pundits and labour relations scholars concerning the Conservative government's decision to legislate striking..."

Air Canada’s labour disputes with the unions representing its machinists and pilots will be heading to binding arbitration after Ottawa passed a back-to-work bill early Wednesday morning.

OTTAWA—Federal politicians worked late into the night to debate a back-to-work bill to send a pair of Air Canada labour disputes to binding arbitration in order to keep the airline flying.

"OTTAWA – Captain Jean-Marc Bélanger, Chair of the Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Canada Pilots Association, and Captain Paul Strachan, President of the Air Canada Pilots Association, will be available..."

"TORONTO – A majority of Canadians want Air Canada to negotiate a new contract with its pilots and avoid having the federal government impose arbitration, according to a survey released today by the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA)."

"As Ottawa brings in legislation to ensure Air Canada flights continue uninterrupted this March break, the airline has also sent a stern warning to its pilots’ union against launching any illegal job action."

TORONTO - The Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) today elected Captain Jean-Marc Bélanger as Chair for the remainder of its two-year term.

"TORONTO – Air Canada pilots will vote on the latest offer from their employer, with their Association recommending that the pilots reject the offer and send a message to their employer to get serious about negotiations."

The head of Air Canada's Pilots Association says he's worried the airline's plan to start a low-cost carrier is just a way of outsourcing good jobs to other countries while offering no benefit to Canadians.

"With March break less than a week away and two of Air Canada unions headed into a legal strike or lockout position, job action seems unlikely."

"Air Canada’s largest union is eager to resume contract talks, requesting a new mediator in a renewed bid to reach a deal while urging members to be patient."

A co-mediator has tendered her resignation from contract talks between Air Canada and the union representing pilots.

"Members of Air Canada’s largest union have rejected a tentative pact, opting instead to support a strike mandate."

"Air Canada pilots are being warned to make sure they have a seat at the table if the airline pushes ahead with its low-cost carrier plans, or risk seeing it cannibalize the main line’s routes."

TORONTO - Air Canada's pilots union says the federal government has a role in ensuring that well-paying Canadian jobs don't get shipped overseas if the airline makes good on its plan to create a low-cost carrier.

Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt said Wednesday she had received written confirmation from Air Canada and the union representing its pilots that they will submit to an extended mediation process.

Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt says Air Canada management and the union representing pilots have agreed to participate in a new mediation phase that will extend contract talks by up to six months.

"Les pilotes d'Air Canada ont accordé à leur syndicat le mandat de déclencher la grève, si nécessaire, bien qu'ils aient assuré ne pas avoir l'intention de se prévaloir de cette option, tandis que se poursuivent les négociations avec le transporteur."

Les pilotes d'Air Canada ont donné un « mandat sans équivoque » à leurs représentants pour qu'ils négocient avec la direction de la compagnie aérienne leur nouveau contrat de travail.

TORONTO — The federal Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt has offered to assign a new mediator to the talks between Air Canada and its pilots’ union with the results of a strike vote expected later Tuesday.

The union representing Air Canada’s pilots said they remain committed to reaching a negotiated settlement despite its members voting overwhelmingly in support of strike mandate Tuesday.

"Air Canada’s pilots say they don’t plan to ground the airline any time soon, even though they have given their union an overwhelming 97 per cent strike mandate."

"The union representing Air Canada's pilots voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action Tuesday, but the pilots insist the move is ""defensive"" and that passengers have nothing to worry about."

"It is business as usual, the Montreal carrier's spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said in an email Tuesday.""Customers can continue to make their travel plans and book in confidence."""

Air Canada (AC/A) pilots who voted to authorize a strike said they prefer continuing talks after walkouts by unions at the country’s biggest airline prompted government intervention twice in the past year.

"Early last year, WestJet Airlines Ltd. had just about exhausted the opportunities its single-fleet of Boeing 737s had in the Canadian market."

"TORONTO - Air Canada pilots have voted 97 per cent in favour of a strike mandate, giving their Association an overwhelming mandate to achieve a negotiated agreement at the bargaining table. More than 97 per cent of the pilots took part in the vote."

"Air Canada is urging customers to keep booking, despite an escalating labour dispute."

"Air Canada said Monday that contract talks with its 3,000 pilots are scheduled to continue this week, adding it is confident it can avoid a labour disruption, which could come as early as Friday morning."

"Labour Minister Lisa Raitt is stepping into the Air Canada labour dispute, this time offering to appoint a new mediator to avert any grounding of flights caused by a long-simmering contract dispute by the airline's 3,000 pilots."

"The union representing Air Canada’s pilots is alleging the airline is exploring the possibility of launching its proposed low-cost carrier offshore, circumventing negotiations to launch it with its employees."

Sheridan College and the Brampton Flying Club announced a new partnership on Wednesday that will allow students to earn a business degree and their commercial pilot's licence in the same four years.

Air Canada plans to abandon mandatory retirement for its pilots who turn 60.

"Air Canada’s proposal to its 3,000 pilots calls for less generous wage increases than a tentative deal rejected last year."

Budget carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA on Wednesday said it has ordered 222 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus in separate deals with a combined worth of $127-billion in list prices.

"Private equity firm TPG Capital, among those interested in a deal for AMR Corp. has reached out to the parent of British Airways to advocate, or possibly even participate in, a potential bid, reported The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter."

Delta Air Lines reported strong fourth-quarter profits as higher ticket prices more than offset an increase in fuel costs as the second-biggest US carrier by revenues squeezed more passengers on to its aircraft.

CALGARY/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Air Canada pilots said on Tuesday the airline had abandoned contract talks in the hope that Ottawa would step in to resolve the dispute...

"Air Canada declined Tuesday to extend further the 60-day conciliation period in bargaining with its 3,000 pilots, triggering a 21-day mediation period over the airline's Jan. 16 collective agreement proposal to its pilots."

The Air Canada Pilots Association says management of the airline has abandoned federal conciliation in a move that opens the door for Ottawa to intervene in a protracted labour dispute.

"WestJet Airlines Ltd. (WJA-T11.53-0.13-1.11%) is seeking to expand operations under a two-tier structure, gambling on maintaining labour harmony by giving its non-union pilots veto power over the carrier’s bold plans to launch a regional service that will pay reduced wages."

Talks are continuing between Air Canada and its pilots on a new contract after a tentative agreement was overwhelmingly rejected last spring.

Some Canadian pilots are calling for changes in the rules governing work hours after the U.S. government this week introduced new measures to address pilot fatigue.

"MONTREAL - Air Canada pilots Monday promised the airllne’s passengers there won’t be any risk of a work stoppage over the holidays, despite outstanding contract issues between airline and union."

"Two decades since Ottawas first attempt to kill mandatory retirement, the Conservative government has managed to quietly overturn legislation that has for 30 years given federally regulated..."

"TORONTO - Air Canada pilots say there’s no risk of any work stoppage over the Holiday Season, despite their ongoing issues with the airline."

Air Canada pilots say an internal company memo that compares the airline's financial situation to that of the bankrupt American Airlines was intentionally leaked to sway public opinion amid a long-running labour dispute.

Air Canada pilots are keen to see the details before deciding whether to support the airline’s proposal for a low-cost carrier.

"Air Transat and Air Canada pilots say that a federal program is allowing Canadian charter airlines to hire foreign pilots en masse and on a permanent basis, resulting in layoffs of available Canadian pilots - such as the 17 Air Transat pilots who were cut this week."

It happens once a day on average in Canada: a plane or vehicle ends up on a runway where another plane is about to land or take off.

"While attention in Australia is focused on the struggles between Qantas management and its employees (''More passenger pain possible as Qantas dispute heads to umpire'', ..."

"Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has named a conciliator in the hopes of hammering out an agreement between Air Canada and its 3,000 pilots."

TORONTO – Surging fuel prices contributed to a sharp drop in operating profits at Air Canada and the airline posted a net loss for the third quarter on Friday.

The union representing Air Canada’s pilots said Thursday the airline’s management has filed for a federal conciliator in its negotiations for a new labour agreement.

"Air Canada’s labour dispute with its 2,900 pilots will be heading to conciliation."

Air Canada has filed a dispute notice with the federal government in connection with stalled contract talks with its pilots...

"Thanks to the advent of the full body scanner, the chances of being subjected to a pat-down search before you catch your next flight are probably diminished."

By PAUL STRACHANMuch attention has been paid to the recent strike at Air Canada and the government’s almost instantaneous decision to legislate an end to the dispute.

Dictator of the skiesAn Air Canada pilot expresses his worries that Air Canada may soon be taken out by Emirates Airlines.

"Let’s fix pension funding rules instead of trashing defined benefit plansIt’s time to examine more closely the causes of these pension deficitsand the many possible solutions available, before arbitrarily guttingpension plans and slashing benefits."

Let’s fix pension funding rules instead of trashing defined benefit plans

By PAUL STRACHANMuch attention has been paid to the recent strike at Air Canada and the government’s almost instantaneous decision to legislate an end to the dispute.

A Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has upheld Air Canada’s right to force pilots to retire at the age of 60.

Air Canada says it has a contingency plan in place that would see non-unionized employees fill in for its striking workers if the airline cannot reach a new labour pact with its sales and service agents by their strike deadline at midnight Monday.

"Air Canada faces $1.6-billion in pension-funding contributions over the next four years, spurring management’s push for contentious reforms."

Air Canada’s unions are balking at the airline’s plans to introduce defined-contribution pensions for new hires.

Air Canada unions have been discussing alternatives to the company's proposal to move new hires into a different pension scheme.

Air Canada’s unions are banding together to fight the airline’s plans for pension reform.

"Two-thirds of Air Canada's 3,000 pilots rejected a tentative deal with the airline Thursday, dealing a rebuke to its own union master executive council and a setback to the carrier's hopes of launching a low-cost carrier."

The Air Canada Pilots Association is expected to return to the bargaining table next month after the union’s membership rejected a new tentative agreement with the airline Thursday.

Les pilotes d'Air Canada ont rejeté à 67% l'accord de principe conclu entre leur syndicat et la direction de l'entreprise.

Air Canada’s plans to launch a discount leisure airline next winter is at risk of being delayed after pilots rejected a tentative labour pact.

There was no word more fitting to describe the day of the 2011 GoodLife Toronto Marathon than raw.

Air Canada pilots will finish voting this week on a tentative labour pact that calls for pension reforms and the launch of a discount leisure airline.

"The Canada Industrial Relations Board has dismissed complaints from the Fly Past 60 Coalition, which alleged the Air Canada Pilots Association unfairly refused to file union grievances on behalf of veteran pilots who oppose mandatory retirement at age 60."

Air Canada’s chief executive officer is making an 11th-hour plea to pilots to ratify a tentative agreement that will create a low-cost carrier.

"The negotiating committee for Air Canada's pilots union is urging its membership to support the airline's plans for a new low-cost carrier, arguing that without it the carrier will shrink its Airbus fleet..."

"May 9, 2011 - The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has completely dismissed all complaints filed by 67 pilots opposed to retirement at age 60 who alleged..."

OTTAWA – The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has completely dismissed all complaints filed by 67 pilots opposed to retirement at age 60 who alleged that they had not been fairly represented by the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA).

"The Air Canada Pilots Association said Monday it has rescheduled a ratification vote on a tentative deal that would create a new discount leisure airline, among other contentious issues."

"MONTREAL - Air Canada pilots are far from a strike vote even if they spurn the airline's hardball stance against renegotiating a collective agreement, the union's president said Monday."

"MONTREAL -- Air Canada pilots are far from a strike vote even if they spurn the airline's hardball stance against renegotiating a collective agreement, the union's president said Monday."

"Air Canada has surprised union leaders by refusing to reopen labour talks with its pilots, triggering a ratification vote on a tentative deal that calls for a new discount leisure airline."

Fasten your seat belts. It could be a turbulent summer of labour unrest for Air Canada.

MONTREAL - Two of Canada's largest airlines are engaged in tough battles with their unionized workers after demanding concessions to reduce costs in the face of mounting fuel prices.

"The Air Canada Pilots Association members will begin voting on a motion to recall their chairman, Captain Bruce White, Thursday after a new tentative agreement he agreed to put out for a ratification vote last week came up against stiff opposition from the union's membership."

"Air Canada's (AIDIF, AC.A.T) pilots union will go back to the bargaining table after a ratification vote on a tentative labor pact was cancelled last week, a top union official said."

The Air Canada Pilots Association met Tuesday to determine its next step after a new tentative agreement came up against stiff opposition from the union's membership last week.

"Calin Rovinescu, AirCanada's chief executive, says his plans to launch a low-cost carrier (LCC) as a new subsidiary are paramount to the growth strategy of the country's largest carrier in the years ahead."

Calin Rovinescu is moving full speed ahead with Air Canada’s global expansion.