Pilots to vote on historic tentative agreement for Winnipeg-based company

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Peggy

Pilots of the Air Line Pilots Association are expected to vote on a tentative contract that would be the first-ever collective bargaining agreement for a Winnipeg-based company.

The tentative two-year agreement between ALPA and Keewatin Air — which operates charter flights and air ambulance services in Winnipeg, Ontario, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories — would have improvements to scheduling, overtime pay and working conditions, an ALPA release said on Monday.

ALPA’s Keewatin pilot leadership voted unanimously to send the agreement to the pilot group for membership ratification. The release did not say when the members would vote on the contract.

Captain Lahiru Gunawardhana, chair of the Keewatin ALPA master executive council, said in the release he was proud of the tentative contract that would align the pilots with their peers in the industry across Canada.

Having a work-life balance is crucial to the success and well-being of the pilots, he said, adding that the contract would help recruit and retain workers.

The release said the Keewatin pilots joined the union, which represents more than 78,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines, over a year ago.

Keewatin Air did not immediately respond to CBC’s request to comment on the tentative agreement.

The emergency air ambulance and charter service transports more than 3,000 patients to hospitals annually, according to its website.