Citing a recent contract settlement between U.S. carrier Delta Airlines and its pilots that saw a 34 percent pay hike over four years, the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) sees an opportunity to address their pilots’ concerns too. Since 2014, ACPA members have received an annual increase of two percent per year. Current pilot compensation at Delta is 45 percent higher than current Air Canada rates, according to ACPA.
“Pilots in the U.S. have recently secured significant wage increases and other contractual improvements, creating an embarrassing gap with Canada,” according to Charlene Hudy of ACPA.
The Air Line Pilots Association is a U.S.-based international pilots union representing over 60,000 pilots worldwide. Its Canadian affiliate (ALPA Canada) represents pilots from other Canadian airlines, such as Air Transat, Jazz, First Air and PAL. ACPA is considering joining ALPA Canada, whose president Tim Perry commented that U.S. airlines recognize the importance of their employees to their financial success “…by providing improved wages and working conditions for their pilots, in most cases far surpassing those of their Canadian counterparts.”