This is a message to the Czech pilots employed by Prague based Travel Service and working on contract to Sunwing Airlines as Boeing 737NG pilots.
There are two groups of Czech Travel Service pilots in Canada. One group is in Canada flying Czech registered aircraft under a wet-lease agreement. This message is not adressed to that group.
The second group of pilots were admitted to Canada under the Foreign Temporary Workers Program to fly Canadian registered aircraft. This group had to obtain a work permit and had to pass a Canadian simulator ride. This message is addressed to you.
There are consistent rumors in Canada about a number of the Czech pilots being underpaid. Canadian regulations require that any Temporary Foreign Worker hired to work in Canada be paid wages comparable to those of their Canadian counterparts performing the same kind of work.
We are talking here of base bay. The amount earned in overtime or whatever you earn in per diem does not count.
A junior Canadian first officer earns about $5500 per month at Sunwing. The salaries of Czech pilots in Canada vary according to their date of hire and position, but there are persistent rumors that some junior F/O earn just 1200 Euros per month. This is just one third of what their Canadian counterparts earn.
Furthermore, it is illegal for your employer (Travel Service) to negotiate a salary for you with Sunwing airlines and pay you less than what was negotiated. In other words, Travel Service is not allowed to take a cut or a commission from you salary. The salary that was negotiated for you is your to keep.
If any Travel Service pilot feels they were underpaid, they should file a complaint.
In Canada, Labour Complaints must be filed with Provincial Labour Authorities.
Here is the address for all Toronto based pilots:
Ontario
Ministry of Labour
Employment Standards Branch
Telephone: (416) 326-7160 (Greater Toronto Area)
Toll free: 1 800 531-5551
TTY: 1-866-567-8893
Website:
Employment Standards | Ontario Ministry of Labour