Air Canada Pilots Association
Air Canada Pilots Want Much Bigger Raises After the Delta Boost
Air Canada Pilots Association Appoints New National Chair of Governing Council
Air Canada Pilots Association Welcomes New Acting Chief Executive Officer
TORONTO, ON (February 1, 2022) — First Officer Charlene Hudy, Chair of the Master Elected Council of the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Natalie Wiley as Acting Chief Executive Officer, effective December 2022.
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“I am thrilled to have a seasoned legal professional with an impressive career in labor relations as the new Acting CEO for ACPA,” said First Officer Charlene Hudy. “Ms. Wiley brings important experience and expertise to this role at a critical time for the Association. Her leadership will support our members as we collectively navigate new challenges and opportunities.”
A lawyer by profession, Ms. Wiley has been working at the Association for over 6 years, previously holding the position of Director of Labor Relations. As a 17-year member of the bar, her interest in grievance and arbitration has been honed through experience working for a number of different labor organizations, granting her a breadth and depth of knowledge in labor relations, litigation, grievance handling, collective agreement administration , and the practices and principles underlying collective bargaining. Over the course of her career, Ms. Wiley has appeared in front of a wide variety of labor and human rights tribunals, including Boards of Arbitration (rights and interest based), the Ontario Labor Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
“I am honored to serve as ACPA’s Acting CEO, and I look forward to representing and advocating for our members every single day,” said Ms. Wiley. “As the aviation industry continues to thrive, we have an important opportunity to secure change and positive momentum. I am committed to quickly moving forward items that are important to our pilot members.”
Ms. Wiley obtained her honors BA in Labor Studies and History from York University and graduated from the University of Windsor Law in 2004.
The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) represents over 4,500 members who fly passengers and cargo around the world on Air Canada and Air Canada rouge. ACPA is the largest single pilot association in Canada and serves a diverse and engaged membership via its headquarters near Toronto’s Pearson Airport, and through regional representatives across pilot bases in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. For more information , visit www.acpa.ca.
Air Canada Pilots Association Welcomes New Acting Chief Executive Officer
TORONTO, ON (February 1, 2022) — The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), is pleased to announce that First Officer Charlene Hudy has been elected as Chair of its highest governing body, the Master Elected Council (MEC). Her term began in November 2022 and will be in effect until March 31, 2025.
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First Officer Hudy is a Boeing 737 First Officer, based in Toronto. Prior to her election as MEC Chair, she served as the Toronto Vice-Chair. First Officer Hudy has been actively involved in the Association through a number of roles, with her first position as a Toronto Local Elected Council (LEC) Councillor, before becoming the Vice-Chair of the Toronto LEC, and then MEC Chair. She has also acted as a volunteer and Chair for the External Affairs Committee.
“ACPA is dedicated to advocating for Air Canada pilots and, in my new role, I will raise our pilots’ voices in support of critical needs. The Association has consistently worked to improve salaries and working conditions, as well as protect pilot safety. This remains a top priority for 2023,” First Officer Hudy said.
First Officer Hudy’s passion for flying started with a familiarization flight in a glider with the Air Cadets in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. After receiving her glider and private pilot licence, Aviation Diploma, and commercial pilot licence, she spent a few years as an instructor before moving to Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan, and subsequently Yellowknife. In 2018, she was hired by Air Canada as a Relief Pilot on the Boeing 777.
The MEC is ACPA’s governing body, directing both policy and administration of the Association. The MEC is composed of LEC Chairs and Vice-Chairs, who are elected by pilots from home bases in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, as well as Nationally Elected MEC Members, who are chosen by all Air Canada pilots in national elections.
As Chair, First Officer Hudy will chair over MEC meetings and act as the pilots’ principal representative to Air Canada on employment matters, including negotiation and administration of their Collective Agreement. The Chair speaks on behalf of the MEC and is the official spokesperson for ACPA. The Chair works with the Association’s Chief Executive Officer to pursue ACPA’s broader objectives and policies.
The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) represents over 4,500 members who fly passengers and cargo around the world on Air Canada and Air Canada rouge. ACPA is the largest single pilot association in Canada and serves a diverse and engaged membership via its headquarters near Toronto’s Pearson Airport, and through regional representatives across pilot bases in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. For more information , visit www.acpa.ca.
Council of Unions Come to an Agreement Supported by Air Canada Which Strengthens Retirement Incomes for Workers for the Long Term
TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2021 /CNW/ – Unions representing more than 20,000 Air Canada employees applaud today’s announcement on the finalization of an agreement which will see more certainty and more money in the pockets of the thousands of current and future retired employees who are part of the company’s defined benefit pension plans.
This agreement includes the unions’ long-sought mechanism to provide a series of lump-sum payments that would partially offset cost of living increases that affect worker pensions.
In 2009 and facing insolvency, Air Canada was granted relief from solvency funding which would have otherwise required onerous special payments totaling billions of dollars. As part of this arrangement, a significant amount of Air Canada stock was put in a Share Trust to be accessed by the unions at a later date for the single purpose of assisting with solvency funding in one or more of the plans.
On October 26, 2009, under terms of the agreement, Air Canada issued more than 17 million or 15% of its Class B common voting shares to a joint Share Trust with the Air Canada Unions (the Unitholders) as sole beneficiaries.
Since 2009, this block of shares has been held in a restricted use, single joint trust account, governed by the multi-party 2009 Share Trust Agreement. As a result of subsequent public offerings, these shares have been diluted and now represent approximately 5% of all outstanding Air Canada stock.
Since 2015, the unions who represent Air Canada workers, through the Council of Unions, have been discussing and exploring options as to how to best utilize and distribute the value held within the Share Trust for the benefit of current and future pensioners – many of whom endured significant uncertainty and distress during the previous pension insolvency.
Today, following extensive negotiations between the Council of Unions and Air Canada, the leadership of each of these union groups are proud to announce that an agreement has been struck that will wind down the Share Trust over a period of time in order to improve the certainty and quality of life for thousands of Air Canada employees and pensioners.
Air Canada Pilots Association CEO, Robert Giguere, lauded the agreement, saying:
“ACPA and our pension experts have invested countless hours working alongside our fellow union leaders to ensure these long-held shares can be deployed for the benefit of our current and future retired members and their families. This is a good day for workers in an industry that was nearly devasted by the 2008 financial crisis, and more recently by the global pandemic.”
CALDA Council Chairman Rob King said:
“I am extremely pleased for the retirees and future retirees that we have reached this point. It has been a truly collaborative process with all the unions, and we look forward to final approvals so that this can proceed.”
Wesley Lesosky, President, Air Canada Component of CUPE said:
“ Coming out of the chaos and uncertainty of the pandemic, our members deserve some good news. Thanks to the hard work of our fellow unions and our airline, we have an agreement that will allow current and future generations of retirees to bank on a more secure and more stable retirement at the end of their career.”
IAMAW District 140 President & Directing General Chairperson Dave Flowers said:
“Workers’ pensions and retirement security is a core value of the IAMAW. This breakthrough agreement between the Council of Unions and Air Canada represents the tangible proof of that commitment. Solidarity of vision, purpose and action has allowed us to achieve this very positive outcome for all of our members.”
Unifor National President Jerry Dias said:
“This is a win for workers, and a win for Air Canada. By working together, we saved the company in a previous economic crisis, and have now finally ensured that our workers are able to get what they are entitled to. This day has been a long time coming.”
This arrangement will not be finalized until it has received required regulatory approvals which are now being sought. The employees and pensioners of Air Canada look forward to receiving the needed final approvals on this matter.
About the Council of Unions
The Council of Unions was established to represent the interests of the unionized employees of Air Canada during a turbulent time that included pension insolvency. Leaders from each of Air Canada’s unions – the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA); Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA); Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) – Air Canada Component; the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers (IAMAW); and Unifor – meet to discuss issues of common concern. Together, our Unions represent more than 20,000 unionized employees of Air Canada.
Air Canada Pilots Association Elects New Chair of Governing Council
TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2021 /CNW/ – The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), Canada’s single largest pilot group, has elected First Officer Gary Russell as Chair of its highest governing body, the Master Elected Council. First Officer Russell will serve as MEC Chair for the remainder of the current term, which concludes March 31, 2022.
First Officer Russell, a B-787 Captain based in Vancouver, is a passionate advocate for pilots and the profession. Prior to his election as Master Elected Council (MEC) Chair in October 2021, he served on the MEC as a Nationally Elected Member twice (2016-2019 and 2021). First Officer Russell has been actively involved in the Association in a number of roles, including as LEC Councillor, Trustee and Chair of the External Affairs Committee.
Like many pilots in Canada, First Officer Russell began his flying career as a flight instructor and later a pilot in Northern Canada before being hired by Air Canada in 2007 on the Embraer.
“I consider working on behalf of my fellow pilots to be a calling, and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” said First Officer Russell. “As the world and aviation industry recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to ensure our membership has a strong voice and our profession is protected. I thank the MEC for their confidence in me.”
The MEC is ACPA’s governing body, directing both policy and administration of the Association. The MEC is composed of Local Elected Council Chairs and Vice-Chairs who are elected by pilots from home bases in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, as well as Nationally MEC Members, who are chosen by all Air Canada pilots in national elections.
As Chair, First Officer Russell will preside over MEC meetings and act as the pilots’ principal representative to Air Canada on employment matters, including negotiation and administration of their collective agreement. The Chair speaks on behalf of the MEC and is the official spokesperson for ACPA. The Chair works with the Association’s Chief Executive Officer to pursue ACPA’s broader objectives and policies.
The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) currently represents approximately 3,600 commercial pilots, with 600 furloughed during the COVID crisis and the first of them beginning to return to active status. These highly skilled professional pilots fly passengers and cargo across Canada and around the world on Air Canada and Air Canada rouge.
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