News
Jazz pilots give thumbs up to new agreement
Feb. 2, 2015, Toronto - The pilots of Jazz Aviation, represented by Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), have ratified a new collective agreement by a wide margin, allowing for career progression while protecting pilot quality of life.
February 2, 2015 By Jazz Aviation
Nearly 96 per cent of eligible pilots participated, with 95 per cent voting to ratify the agreement that will have positive effects on the pilot group. Included in the tentative agreement was a provision to allow Jazz pilots to move to Air Canada through a pilot mobility agreement. The agreement is part of a renewed capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with Air Canada, Jazz Aviation’s mainline partner, through 2025. As well as providing cost savings, this allows Jazz Aviation to refleet, further enhancing the pilots’ job security.
“In only two weeks from introduction to ratification, we asked this pilot group to make hard choices – not only about this company, but their own career,” said Capt. Claude Buraglia, leader of the Jazz unit of ALPA. “Our pilots came out in large numbers to roadshows, asked questions, and decided that our future was best ensured by a deal that provided career options, while protecting those pilots who wish to stay with Jazz.”
A requirement of the new CPA with Air Canada was that a minimum number of Jazz pilots would place their names on a pilot mobility list (PML). As part of the tentative agreement ratification information process, Jazz pilots were asked to evaluate the pilot mobility agreement between Jazz Aviation and Air Canada and place their names on the PML. Air Canada has agreed that a minimum 80 percent of its new hires will come from the PML until it is exhausted. For those who choose to stay at Jazz, the collective agreement protects their pensions and pay rates while aligning new-hire pay rates more closely with industry standards.
“We surveyed our pilots extensively and met with them to find out what was most important in a new agreement. It was clear that they wanted job security and pay protections,” continued Capt. Buraglia. “Our negotiators went to the table and brought back an agreement that met the needs of this pilot group—both now and for the length of our extended CPA. I am appreciative of every pilot who participated in this process and I look forward to working with our stakeholders in the continuing development of our company and our members’ careers.”
