On June 6, the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) formally met with negotiators from Air Canada as part of the Wage and Pension Re-Opener process.

The company is required to re-negotiate wage and pension terms with its unions, a process which was agreed upon during the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) process in 2003 and 2004.
"Based on the company's strong financial results, we believe they can afford our proposals to recoup losses sacrificed during bankruptcy protection," says ACPA spokesperson Capt. Serge Beaulieu.

Beaulieu says the association's proposals maintain Air Canada's competitiveness, while at the same time ensuring pilots receive recognition for the sacrifices they made to bring the company back from the brink.

"We took significant wage concessions, in addition to work rule changes that resulted in substantial layoffs and demotions. Now that the company is North America's aviation success story, we expect our contribution to be recognized," Beaulieu adds.

ACPA is the largest pilot group in Canada, representing the 3,100 pilots who fly Air Canada's mainline fleet.