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April 19, 2024
Fellow ALPA pilots,
When I took office last January, one of my highest priorities was to achieve the industry-leading contracts that you have earned through your hard work, professionalism, and commitment to safety. The year 2023 was a monumental one in our union’s history. We battled hard and negotiated new contracts for several of our pilot groups, many with significant pay and quality-of-life improvements. Together, you showed unparalleled resolve and unity to secure those new contracts and put in the hard work required to raise the bar for our profession. While we acknowledge these significant gains that resulted in a record amount of revenue for the association, ALPA continues to dedicate all needed resources to the 16 carriers that remain in bargaining.
This week the Executive Council was hosted by the Jazz MEC in Toronto, where our agenda included over 50 items such as supporting MECs in bargaining, allowing LECs expanded use of their funds, and reaffirming ALPA’s position that a minimum of two qualified pilots on the flight deck is essential to ensure safe operations for our passengers, cargo, and fellow crewmembers.
Perhaps most notably to you, our members, is that in response to the record 2023 revenue gains, and after a thorough review of our finances by the Structure, Services, and Finance Review (SSAFR) Committee, the Executive Council approved returning $50 million (CAD $69 million) in surplus funds to our members from ALPA national. The SSAFR Committee and the Executive Council will continue their top-down review on recommendations for long-term policy changes related to Association finances, appropriate reserve levels, projected surpluses, and dues rates.
This first-of-its-kind across-the-board dues return represents nearly 30 percent of your dues that went to national, and almost 16 percent of total dues. The money will come entirely from ALPA’s national funds and does not inhibit individual MECs from offering their own refunds of significant MEC account surpluses, if eligible. This national dues refund will be offered to all U.S. and Canadian members based on their pro rata dues paid in 2023.
Look for more information in the near future about the timing and process for you to receive your portion of the refund. We are completing the annual financial audit and expect to offer the payments this summer. Future messages will explain how to ensure that we have your current mailing address and how you can, at your option, opt-in to have the payment electronically deposited into your account. ALPA will need to have at least one of these pieces of current information in order for you to receive the funds.
Because we never forget that this is a pilot-led organization, we are constantly working to provide the highest level of services and resources while balancing responsible use of your dues dollars, and your ALPA membership will always work as an investment in strengthening the future of your career—and our profession. I thank our national officer team for sharing the belief and commend the Executive Council for upholding the fundamental responsibility entrusted to us, which is to be good fiduciaries of your money—a responsibility we take seriously. As always, we will ensure that your dues continue to be the best investment in your career that you ever make.
In unity,
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