Release #08.002
January 22, 2008

ALPA Certified to Represent Wasaya Pilots

OTTAWA – The Canada Industrial Relations Board has issued a Certification Award that approves the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) as the collective bargaining agent for “all employees of Wasaya Airways LP, employed as pilots, excluding Chief Pilot and those above the rank of Chief Pilot.”

“I am proud to welcome the pilots of Wasaya into ALPA,” said Capt. John Prater, the union’s president. “They have made a clear choice that they want to take their place as a strong part of a strong association. It is a proud day for me and for all ALPA pilots.”

Wasaya Airways is headquartered in Thunder Bay, Ont., and has bases in other Ontario destinations—Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Pickle Lake, and Timmins. The 70 airline pilots at Wasaya fly 24 airliners (Pilatus PC12-45, HS748, B1900, and Caravan) and provide passenger, cargo, and charter operations. They provide airline service to 25 First Nations communities in northern Ontario.

“I am proud to speak for my fellow Wasaya pilots and express our pride to be part of ALPA,” said Capt. Jeff Braun, who serves as the interim leader of the pilot group. “We now look forward to leveraging the resources of this great union to improve our careers and contributions to making our airline even more successful.”

The pilots at Wasaya Airways contacted Capt. Nick DiCintio, ALPA Canada Board vice-president, late in 2007. An ALPA organizing team was put together, and in November 2007, the team visited the Wasaya pilots during a tour of their bases. Pilot turnout at the meetings was extremely high, and the tour led to a successful card drive in which Wasaya pilots overwhelmingly chose ALPA to represent them.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union representing more than 60,000 pilots in Canada and the U.S. With the addition of Wasaya, ALPA now represents pilots at 43 airlines.

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Contacts: Pete Janhunen, Linda Shotwell, Molly Martin, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org