Five Critical Vulnerabilities
A bit of background on your Organizing Committee (OC): We are made up of over 40 Porter pilots, from new Dash 8 First Officers to senior E2 Captains, along with several Direct Entry E2 Pilots. Our OC includes members from each of our six bases.
While we could list all the benefits of joining ALPA, from multiple types of optional group insurance benefits, like home & auto to critical illness and life for both you, your spouse, and your dependants, let’s instead focus on our 5 main points:
Scope Protection
Merger & Acquisition Protection
Legal Representation
Collective Agreement
Results through Collective Bargaining
1. Scope Protection
ALPA will seek to secure Scope protection in a collective agreement that will aim to ensure that only Porter pilots fly under the Porter Brand (PACL & PAI together). This would stop the company from using or creating other carriers to shift flying away for cheaper labour or threatening lower wages and working conditions. A lack of scope protection has historically placed pilot groups at risk and pitted them against each other in a “race to the bottom.”
2. Merger & Acquisition Protection
Porter is undergoing a massively ambitious expansion which, if not successful, could result in Porter being acquired by another airline or holding group. If this happens, as the only major airline in Canada without union protection, all Porter pilots could be seriously disadvantaged in any merger scenario. ALPA’s merger policy provides a fair and equitable process for negotiation of joint collective agreements and integration of seniority lists.
3. Legal Representation
ALPA’s legal team advocates for you in the event of an operating incident or accident, unforeseen incidents on layovers, or employment grievance. Should it be required, ALPA's lawyers provide you with representation. Pilots have access to a 24/7 - 365 ALPA hotline with legal support when you need it.
4. Collective Agreement
Right now, the company can change our working rules at their discretion. We currently have no power to prevent this. A collective agreement, once voted on by the pilot group, would provide clear and firm working rules and a grievance process, which provides a pathway to restitution when work rules are not followed.
5. Results through Collective Bargaining
Negotiating a strong contract takes time, dedication, and extensive knowledge. ALPA has a team of professionals which includes negotiators, analysts, lawyers, and pilot representatives that help ensure our future contracts are competitive and meet industry standards.
If you would like to read more about the ancillary benefits of joining ALPA:
https://www.alpa.org/resources/alpa-insurance
Your fellow OC members believe that by joining ALPA and negotiating through open communication combined with our strong working relationship with the Company, we will be able to secure a strong industry contract that will benefit us all.
Safe Flying.
In Solidarity,
Porter Pilots for Change Organizing Committee
