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August 12, 2025
Fellow Porter Pilots,
In June 2023, Porter pilots began discussing whether it was time for us to seek out representation by ALPA. This led us to form the Porter Pilots for Change Organizing Committee, whose initial goal was to determine if Porter pilots were in favor of switching from the FOAG process to professional representation by ALPA. That process looked something like this:
- Provide factual information to the pilots about the difference between the FOAG process and what ALPA can offer (via a website and emailed newsletters).
- Host regular all-pilot information meetings, giving Porter pilots the opportunity to ask the necessary questions for them to make an informed decision.
- Have one-on-one conversations with as many Porter pilots as possible. This served the dual function of allowing each pilot to confidentially discuss their views while providing us with a snapshot of the pilot group's disposition as a whole towards ALPA representation.
After determining that there was support for ALPA, we launched our official card drive at the end of January 2025. This card drive, a Canada Labour Code requirement, gave each Porter pilot a true voice in what they would like to see here at Porter--to continue with the FOAG process or to join ALPA.
You have now heard from Capt. Jason Ambrosi (president of ALPA Int'l) that the CIRB has issued its decision, certifying the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) as our bargaining agent. This is a huge milestone, as Porter was the last major air carrier in Canada to join ALPA. We now have a voice, professional representation, and the resources required for a pilot group of our size.
We'd like to thank the company for respecting our right to this process. We are grateful for the ongoing open dialogue between management and OC leadership, and we look forward to maintaining it going forward.
We also want to thank all Porter pilots for your patience throughout this lengthy process. We know that it was slow and sometimes tedious, but we were committed to ensuring that the organizing process was transparent and ethical. There was no "lobbying for business," no coercion, no pressure put on pilots. We are here because the Porter pilots, as a group, wanted us to be.
With that said, this is your Porter Pilots for Change Organizing Committee signing off. Now that we are certified under ALPA the OC no longer has a purpose, and we are passing the torch to your temporary representatives (who will be announced in the coming days). These reps are all pro-pilot as well as pro-company. We know they will provide you with proper representation during the lead-up to the election of full-time reps.
Lastly, we are asking you all to stay engaged with this process. As we've said previously, the most effective representation comes from the pilot group's participation.
Over and Out,
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