From the ACPA itself.....
This is really rich...I saw it over at AVCANADA and had to help spread the good news. I won't forget the AC pilot who stole my Zippo lighter in the Arizona in 2001, who claimed." I make more money than I can spend."
Attention News/Labour Editors:
Talks break down between pilots, Air Canada
Company unresponsive on request for wage, pension improvements
TORONTO, June 9 /CNW/ - Negotiations between Air Canada and its pilots
have broken off after the company refused to offer any wage increases or
pension changes.
"We are disappointed with the lack of progress during the talks," says
Capt. Serge Beaulieu, spokesperson for the Air Canada Pilots Association
(ACPA). "We presented a very sound case for increasing the wages of pilots
that would not compromise the company's competitiveness, particularly in the
domestic market."
To prove its case, Air Canada's pilots presented information to the
company from a copy of the WestJet pilots' employment agreement, showing
evidence that WestJet pilots are paid more than their counterparts at Air
Canada, the nation's flagship, full-service carrier.
"WestJet pilots receive higher compensation and have better work rules in
some areas than we do at Air Canada," Beaulieu adds. "This information
confirmed what we had believed all along and counters Air Canada's assertion
that pilot wages need to remain low to be competitive."
When taking into account wages, which includes flight pay, paid training,
stock options and a share purchase plan, a captain flying a WestJet Boeing 737
earns approximately 13 per cent more than an Air Canada pilot flying Airbus
320. First officers at WestJet earn approximately 20 per cent more.
Internationally, Air Canada's pilot wages are lower when compared with
similar aircraft and airlines.
Air Canada and its pilots must now head to mediation, and potentially
arbitration, to settle the re-opener.
ACPA is the largest professional pilot group in Canada, representing
3,100 pilots who operate Air Canada's mainline fleet.
For further information: Carl Mavromichalis, ACPA Communications, (416)
578-2272; French Media Contact: Capt. Serge Beaulieu, ACPA Spokesperson, (514)
236-2243