The International Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) said aviators voted 67 percent in favor of ratification.
The agreement grants the carrier’s 5,400 pilots a cumulative salary increase of nearly 42% over four years.
This increase exceeds the significant gains achieved last year by pilots at the three largest US airlines, where pay hikes ranged between 34 and 40% – although they started from a higher base level .
Despite the sharp increase, the fact that around a third of pilots voted to reject the deal reveals a division on issues such as work schedules, quality of life and a significant pay gap between new hires and crew more experienced.
Charlene Hudy, who chairs the union’s Air Canada contingent, argued the contract demonstrates the company’s commitment to its pilots.
“Make up for losses suffered”
“This agreement allows Air Canada pilots to make up for the losses suffered over the last 20 years and constitutes a solid basis for the future,” said Ms. Hudy in a press release Thursday.
Air Canada also welcomed the pilots’ approval.
“This is a win-win agreement that will ensure our pilots will continue to be the highest paid in Canada and benefit from the improvements they requested in terms of work-life balance,” said President and CEO, Michael Rousseau, in a press release. Furthermore, the agreement gives our company the flexibility it needs, while allowing it to create a framework for its future growth and that of its network.
The agreement in principle, reached in mid-September after more than a year of negotiations, made it possible to avoid a strike which would have led to the cancellation of 670 flights and affected 110,000 passengers per day.
In recent weeks, the union has held roadshows to members about the potential deal.
Ms. Hudy had warned her colleagues during a virtual town hall last month that she would resign if they chose to reject the deal, raising the stakes as pilots debated whether to accept the pay gains or try to negotiate another agreement.
About 99% of eligible pilots voted in the consultation, the union said.
The contract is effective immediately, retroactive to September 2023 and expiring on September 29, 2027.
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