February 21, 2025

Dear Porter Pilots, 

 

On behalf of our more than 12,000 Canadian members, it is my honour to offer my congratulations on taking the next step toward joining the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA). 

Since January 29, you have had the opportunity to sign a card. By doing so, you choose to join the largest pilot union in the world with the strength and protection you need to achieve the goals you set as a pilot group.

 
Signing a card also gives you a voice and a say in your future and the future of your company. Joining ALPA brings together your fellow Canadian airline pilots, generating real bargaining power--backed by professional resources--steered by the decisions you make as a pilot group. In fact, ALPA represents 95 percent of unionized airline pilots who fly at more than 20 airlines in Canada.

As some of you may know, ALPA is pilot-led and staff-supported, and our staff is the best in the world. We are proud of our pilot group volunteers for their ongoing efforts to do the essential work of advancing aviation safety in Canada and securing collective agreements for our members.

 
We have taken great strides to ensure our priorities are known by everyone in Ottawa. Our voices are heard and respected while navigating the halls of Parliament and the Public Service. At ALPA Canada, we continue to fight for free and fair collective bargaining rights and work to safeguard pilots against industry calls on the government to relax or roll back Canada’s safety and labour regulations--most noteworthy, our fatigue regulations.

I believe the time is now for Porter pilots to join the international community of pilots who work to better our profession's pay and benefits; advance aviation safety, security, and pilot assistance; and secure a piloting profession for future generations. 

 

Leading the WestJet organizing committee years ago, we shared the same journey to pilot representation; I know firsthand what it’s like to gather cards and have conversations about a different future. As I have said many times before and will continue to repeat, we each do better when we all do better. I look forward to what 2025 has in store for us all and welcoming the Porter pilots as a single unified pilot group into the ALPA family.

 

To learn more, I encourage you to visit the Porter Organizing Committee website, where you will find useful information, including an FAQ and other valuable resources.