Airlines are facing significant pressure from pilot unions, which could lead to a brain drain of experienced pilots, reports BNN Bloomberg.
Pilots are demanding better wages and benefits after pandemic challenges and a spate of contract negotiations highlights the success of their new demands.
Pilots in the U.S. have already secured substantial pay increases, leading Canadian pilots to seek opportunities south of the border. In JUN, 1,800 pilots with WestJet's main operation and subsidiary Swoop ratified a new deal with a 24% wage increase over four years. Meanwhile, 4,500 Air Canada pilots have triggered negotiations one year earlier than their contract expires.And ALPA, representing aviators at WestJet Encore, just announced plans to negotiate their second collective agreement.
The shortage of pilots is a concern for airlines, as replacements are difficult to find and expensive to train. This labour shortage extends to other sectors in the aviation industry, such as air traffic control and ground handling. The scarcity of workers gives pilots additional leverage in their negotiations for better conditions.
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