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Update on September Scheduling Error
As you know, a system error with the NavBlue configuration caused our September flight duty times to double. This prevented many of us from getting our assignments based on seniority, leading to a lot of open time and extra unstacking.
Our MEC worked with Porter management to find a solution. We reiterated that seniority is the fundamental principle of our pilot group's scheduling process, and the only fair course of action was to re-run the bid. We went back and forth with management, making proposals and adjusting positions to protect our MMG and reassignments.
In his email today, Porter's VP of Operations, Brent Card, outlined the following measures to remedy the situation:
- MMG Protection: The company will protect a pilot's MMG for approved schedule drops, provided there is enough reserve coverage.
- Single-Day Drops: Pilots can request a single day off from a multi-day pairing. If approved, they will be rerouted or converted to reserve duty with a four-hour credit. Supporting documentation may be required.
- Final Requests: All remaining requests must be submitted to Crew Resources by 1600 on September 19th; retroactive approvals will not be granted.
This has been a collaborative process, and we appreciate management’s willingness to work cooperatively. Navigating these tricky waters has been challenging due to limited industry precedent surrounding schedule reruns. We recognize that the Porter pilot group was hoping to apply the Sched-Or-Better provisions of FOAG 6.24.7.1, and to that end your MEC sought legal advice from ALPA to determine what, if any, recourse we had in the circumstances under the Canada Labour Code. ALPA also provided a legal opinion on the application of FOAG 6.24.7.1.
Unfortunately, without a collective agreement and grievance process, our legal options to challenge FOAG interpretation were limited. We are satisfied that despite FOAG 6.14.3, we were able to secure MMG protections to those pilots affected. We recognize this has been a bump in the road, but we are committed to improving the process by taking these steps to ensure this does not happen again. In this instance, management's cooperative attitude gives us hope that there will be a mutual effort toward Good Faith Bargaining as we approach negotiations.
For those of you who completed the MEC's September Schedule Disruption Form, we thank you. Your responses to the form will be forwarded to the company for processing. Deidentified information will be used to help prevent future errors.
If you have any questions about scheduling, send us a DART on the ALPA App, or online at dart.alpa.org.
This Week – Toronto Informational Meetings
To ensure all Porter pilots have the opportunity to attend, our final meetings will be held in Toronto.
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Friday, September 19, 1500 ET
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Radisson Blu (249 Queens Quay W)
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Saturday, September 20, 1500 ET
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Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites (5875 Airport Road, Mississauga)
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Each meeting will cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Introductions from local representatives and primary pilot contacts.
- An overview of the ALPA structure and the role of the ALPA Canada board.
- Key resources like Aeromedical Services, the Critical Incident Response Program, and enhancements to Fly Well.
- The collective bargaining process.
- What to expect in the coming months.
- An open Q&A session.
Pilots from all bases are welcome to attend any of the scheduled meetings. We encourage you to join us, meet your representatives, and get your questions answered. We look forward to seeing you there!
In unity,
Your Porter Airlines MEC
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