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Fellow Pilots,
Nominations are now open for our permanent representatives.
The declaration period for nominations to serve on all three of our local councils began this week. Eligible members can now declare their willingness to serve.
As our union continues to grow, we're at a pivotal moment to elect new leaders. ALPA is a pilot-run, staff-supported organization, and the dedication of its volunteers is the backbone of our success. These volunteer roles are crucial to how the union operates from the ground up.
Local Council Nomination and Election Process
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Note: The election for Council 274 (Ottawa and Montréal) will occur in two phases. FULL DETAILS: POE Local Council 274 Elections
- A meeting will be held on November 21 to elect interim officers for the 3.5-month term ending February 28, 2026.
- The election for the full term, which runs from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2029, will follow the same timeline and process as noted below for Council 272 and 276 elections.
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Eligibility: To be eligible to declare your willingness to serve, you must have applied for membership and been classified as an Active member when the eligibility roster was created on September 22. Your pilot status (Captain or First Officer) as noted in the ALPA database on this date will determine the status representative position for which you can run. Members interested in running for Secretary-Treasurer may be a Captain or First Officer.
The Process & Timeline:
The nomination and election process is conducted online through a third-party vendor. Members are unable to change a previously cast vote. Voting will unfold in three phases:
- Nominations: The declaration period for nominations officially opened on September 23. Eligible members can declare their willingness to serve for any listed position--Captain Representative, First Officer Representative or Secretary-Treasurer.
- The names of all eligible members who have declared by October 8 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time will be listed on the nomination ballot.
- The nomination ballot will be available from October 9 to October 24 (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time).
- Representative Elections: The two nominees for each position (Captain Representative, First Officer Representative and Secretary-Treasurer) who receive the most nominations will become candidates in this first round of elections.
- The election ballot will open on October 28 and close on November 14.
- Officer Election: After the first round, a final election ballot will open to elect your Local Council Chair and Vice Chair.
- The only candidates for this election are the winners of the Captain and First Officer Representative elections.
- This ballot will open on November 17 and close on December 4.
Please be aware that the term of office for any current interim representatives and temporary officers will end once this election is certified.
Understanding the Role of an Elected Council Officer
Elected representatives, either under a status rep (Captain and First Officer) or a Seniority block model, are the first and main point of contact for fellow pilots. Our structure here at Porter follows the status representation model. Our Captain and First Officer status reps dedicate their time and expertise to addressing a wide range of daily issues, from disciplinary matters and paycheck disputes to scheduling errors. The responsibilities are primarily organizational and administrative and require a significant commitment of time and effort.
The Local Executive Council (LEC)
The LEC is responsible for the proper management of a Local Council's affairs and business. All official business is conducted in duly called, regularly convened meetings. The officers of the Local Council, who are elected from the pilot representatives, have the following specific duties:
- Chair: The Chair is the chief officer of the Local Council. They preside over all meetings, call regular and special meetings, and are responsible for the efficient processing of member complaints and grievances. The Chair also implements and explains the policies of the LEC, Master Executive Council (MEC), Board of Directors, and Executive Board as they apply to the Local Council.
- Vice Chair: In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair performs all their duties. They may also be assigned other tasks by the Chair as needed.
- Secretary-Treasurer: This officer assists the Chair with two key functions: managing Local Council funds and maintaining council records.
The LEC's primary responsibilities include:
- processing grievances
- representing pilots in the Chief Pilot’s Office
- overseeing the local council budget
- maintaining local council records
- conducting local council meetings
- electing MEC officers
Beyond the Local Level: Broader Union Governance
While serving at the local level, these elected officers are deeply integrated into ALPA's larger governance structure:
- Master Executive Council (MEC): The Status and Seniority Block Representatives of a Local Council automatically become members of their airline's Master Executive Council.
- Board of Directors (BOD): Status and Seniority Block Representatives also serve as Directors of the Association. The Board of Directors is ALPA's highest governing body, meeting every two years to approve the strategic plan and elect national officers.
Council Election and Campaign Info
For detailed information on the nomination and election process for your specific council, please use the links below:
Campaigning: If you are considering running for office, please review the official rules for candidates at www.alpa.org/campaignmailings. To avoid using union resources, we strongly recommend using the ALPA Campaign portal to distribute campaign messages.
For any questions about the nominations or elections, please contact the Balloting Department at 888-359-2572, extension 1256, or via email at Balloting@alpa.org. Your inquiries will be answered during normal business hours, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
In unity, Your Porter Airlines MEC
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