After weeks of rigorous negotiations, Air Canada has managed to secure a last-minute deal to avert a strike with more than 5,200 pilot members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
The potential for work stoppage had everyone on the edge of their seats, and could have impacted nearly 670 flights per day carrying upwards of 110,000 passengers and freight to their desired destinations.
Part of the issue with the contract was the desire for pilots to close the wage gap that they felt was growing between them and U.S. airline counterparts, as well as benefits. An earlier offer included a wage increase of more than 30 percent and improved benefits and pensions, but the union did not accept, as its members have been working under conditions that were negotiated in 2014.
The new four-year collective agreement will be voted on by members, at which point details will be released; however, ALPA said the deal would see an additional $1.4 billion USD in value for its members and represents a 46 percent increase over the previous contract, which expired in September of last year.
