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Kelowna Flightcraft pilots ratify new contract

Jan. 13, 2009, Kelowna, B.C. – The pilots of Kelowna Flightcraft ratified a new agreement on Jan. 12, 2009 with Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter Ltd.


January 13, 2009  By Carey Fredericks

Jan. 13, 2009, Kelowna, B.C. – After 14 months of contract negotiations, the pilots of Kelowna Flightcraft, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), ratified a new agreement on Jan. 12, 2009, with Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter, Ltd., that contains numerous industry-standard and industry-leading provisions. The vote closed with nearly 75 percent of eligible pilots voting in favor of the agreement. 
 
Facing an industry in crisis due to a slowing economy and skyrocketing fuel prices, pilot union leaders worked with the company management to expedite an agreement to be implemented in 4Q 2009.
 
“This new agreement represents a step forward for all Kelowna pilots as well as greater job security and additional jobs in Kelowna, British Columbia, and Hamilton, Ontario,” said First Officer Timothy Wynn-Williams, chairman of the ALPA unit at Kelowna Flightcraft. “Substantial advancements were made for this contract, which is no small feat, given the state of our industry and the current economic climate. Thanks to our negotiators and the support of our dedicated union, we were able to achieve significant quality-of-life improvements at or above industry average.”
 
This contract agreement represents a complete contract overhaul from cover to cover and will provide Kelowna Flightcraft pilots with scheduling and quality-of-life improvements, including a true definition of scheduled or actual flying time, and will allow the pilots to have more control over their schedules.  
 
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing 52,500 pilots at 36 airlines in the United States and Canada, including more than 120 pilots who fly for Kelowna Flightcraft. ALPA Canada Board responds to the needs of the union’s master executive councils and their pilot members throughout Canada. Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter, Ltd., is the exclusive air cargo carrier for Canada’s largest air courier, Purolator Courier Ltd. Visit ALPA’s website at www.alpa.org.
 

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