The union representing pilots at Jazz Aviation claims that their employer and Air Canada have breached the Canada Labour Code, even as it ratified changes to their collective agreement.
On Monday, the Air Line Pilots Association filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board arguing that both airlines violated the exclusivity deal between the two and effectively narrowed the pipeline of pilots from one carrier to the other.
Jazz, a subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc., provides regional service for the country香蕉视频直播檚 biggest airline under the Air Canada Express brand.
In May, Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau announced a 香蕉视频直播渂ridging arrangement香蕉视频直播� with St. John香蕉视频直播檚, N.L.-based company PAL Airlines to boost the number of regional flights in Eastern Canada.
Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association香蕉视频直播檚 Canadian segment, said that the deal was out of bounds, due to the contract between Jazz and Air Canada.
香蕉视频直播淭he arrangement was that it was exclusivity. So when flying was assigned or when deals were struck with PAL, we香蕉视频直播檙e basically saying that that was done in contravention of previous agreements,香蕉视频直播� he said in a telephone interview from Winnipeg.
Rather than boost compensation and benefits to pilots 香蕉视频直播� and thus attract and retain more in order to expand flight capacity at Jazz 香蕉视频直播� management took another route, he said. On top of partnering with PAL, that path also saw Air Canada香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播渕icromanaging what Jazz and Chorus are able to work out in bargaining香蕉视频直播� and setting an effective cap on Jazz香蕉视频直播檚 spending, Perry claimed.
Air Canada and Jazz also encroached on pilots香蕉视频直播� labour rights by 香蕉视频直播渞efusing to comply with contractual pilot 香蕉视频直播榝low香蕉视频直播� agreements,香蕉视频直播� which see a certain number of pilots trickle from Jazz to Air Canada each year, according to a union statement.
Air Canada said it is reviewing the union香蕉视频直播檚 filing, noting the airline has a long-standing relationship with Jazz.
香蕉视频直播淭his relationship has been instrumental in our ability to serve communities throughout Canada. As this matter is in front of the board, we will not comment further on the complaint香蕉视频直播檚 merit,香蕉视频直播� spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said in an email.
香蕉视频直播淲ith respect to PAL, it is in the context of Jazz香蕉视频直播檚 pilot availability challenges and our desire to continue serving certain communities that some interim lift was acquired through PAL.香蕉视频直播�
Chorus said it does yet have the full details of the complaint, and does 香蕉视频直播渘ot comment on matters before the labour board or any court or tribunal.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淛azz has a strong history of finding solutions and collaborating effectively with its unions. We look forward to working with ALPA to better understand and resolve their concerns,香蕉视频直播� spokeswoman Lauren Dunn said in an email.
The Jazz pilots launched the unfair labour practice complaint the same day 香蕉视频直播� Monday 香蕉视频直播� that they ratified an amended collective agreement with their Chorus.
Jazz president Randolph deGooyer said the tweaked deal recognizes the upward shift in pilot wages and expands the airline香蕉视频直播檚 recruitment and training options.
香蕉视频直播淭hrough this modified agreement, we have shown a shared commitment to addressing industry challenges collaboratively,香蕉视频直播� deGooyer said in a release.
香蕉视频直播淭hese changes will further position Jazz as the leading regional operator in Canada,香蕉视频直播� added Chorus president Colin Copp.
