Release #: KEW 24.02
November 20, 2024

Keewatin Air Pilots Ratify First Collective Agreement

WINNIPEG, MAN.—Keewatin pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), voted today to ratify a tentative agreement (TA) reached with Keewatin Air. Of the 84 percent eligible pilots who voted, 89 percent voted in favour of the new collective agreement. The two-year deal offers significant improvements to scheduling, vacation, and overtime.

“From the onset of negotiations, we wanted to ensure that to attract and retain pilots, we needed a contract that provides enhancements to quality of life,” said Captain Lahiru Gunawardhana, chair of the Keewatin ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC). “Our pilots will now be able to balance their work and home life through guaranteed vacation days, solidified parameters around overtime, and the implementation of a seniority-based bidding system.”

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.

“I am proud of the work we have done to achieve our first contract, as well as what this agreement means for our pilots. This newly ratified first collective agreement is a good foundation for us to layer on for years to come. Each subsequent agreement will build on the successes of this one and assist with career progression with our members,” added Gunawardhana.The contract for the approximately 120 pilots goes into effect immediately and will expire December 31, 2026.

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 ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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