Canadian North pilots reach tentative deal

Canadian North pilots — represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) — have reached a tentative agreement with Canadian North management after over six months of negotiating their seventh collective agreement.

Over the next few weeks, the agreement will be shared with the entire pilot group, then a member ratification vote will take place.

Canadian North Master Executive Council chair First Officer Steven Bard said that: “Until now, Canadian North pilots lagged behind other ALPA carriers in scheduling and compensation. This tentative agreement recognizes the value of our specialized technical skillset, which is required to fly the rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions of the Canadian Arctic. I am proud of the hard work from the Negotiating Committee in achieving this fair contract.”

Key elements of the tentative agreement include a reduction in the number of hours each pilot flies per month, as well as the number of days worked, and moving from a salary-based compensation system to a traditional credit-based system.

Both sides have also demonstrated good faith towards short-term improvements to Iqaluit accommodations, with a shared goal of a long-term strategy.

Bard said that: “Management has listened to us: That in order to keep Canadian North flying, they needed to offer improvements to our working conditions. The gains we have achieved with this tentative agreement will now align us with our industry peers and help make Canadian North a career destination.”

Canadian North operates scheduled passenger and cargo services throughout the Canadian Arctic, providing workforce transportation for the oil and gas industry, as well as ad-hoc charters in Canada and the U.S.

Photo caption

Arctic Bay is just one of many destinations served by Canadian North. 

(Photo courtesy of Canadian North)