Release #: KEW 24.01
October 28, 2024

Keewatin Pilots Reach Historic First Tentative Agreement

Winnipeg, MB—Keewatin pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have tentatively agreed to their first-ever collective agreement with Keewatin Air, a subsidiary of the Exchange Income Corporation. The two-year contract includes improved scheduling measures and working conditions, and more industry-competitive per diems.

“I am proud of the contract we were able to achieve for our pilot group,” said Captain Lahiru Gunawardhana, chair of the Keewatin ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC). “This new contract sets the stage for our new relationship with management as ALPA pilots while maintaining fair and industry-standard working conditions. Work-life balance is crucial to the success and well-being of our pilots, and this agreement reflects our endeavour.”

The Keewatin Air pilots joined the Association a little over a year ago. Keewatin operates both charter and air-ambulance services for all of Nunavut and the Canadian Arctic, and the pilots take pride in knowing their airline’s air medical program is recognized as one of the best air-ambulance services in Canada.

“Overtime pay and improvements to scheduling and quality of life items will align our pilots with their peers across Canada,” Gunawardhana added. “This first collective agreement will help both our Company and the Association with pilot recruitment and retention to make Keewatin more attractive.”

ALPA’s Keewatin pilot leadership voted unanimously to send the agreement to the pilot group for membership ratification.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 78,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA Canada website at alpacanada.ca or follow us on Twitter @ALPACanada.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org