Jazz pilots to vote on strike action authorization to back contract demands

Jazz pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), have been negotiating with their management for a new contract for more than a year.

"By taking this action, Jazz pilots are signaling that their management must stop stalling and finalize a contract that addresses the pilots' legitimate needs"

"Jazz Air LP earned nearly $600 million in profits since exiting the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in September 2004. Yet, over the course of more than 50 days of face-to-face meetings and three weeks of federal conciliation, Jazz Air has offered its pilots nothing whatsoever at the bargaining table," Capt. John Prater, ALPA president, said. The conciliation period ends on May 22, and cannot be extended without the consent of both ALPA and Jazz Air. Once conciliation ends, a 21-day cooling-off period begins.

"It is incredible to us that the management of this remarkably profitable airline refuses to share the proceeds of success with the very people who are responsible for ensuring our company's continuing longevity-the 1,519 pilots of Jazz Air LP," Capt. Brian Shury, Jazz MEC chairman, added. "When you rationally consider this, it would be irresponsible to accept the concessions that Jazz is demanding while at the same time its senior executives continue to reward themselves handsomely."

"By taking this action, Jazz pilots are signaling that their management must stop stalling and finalize a contract that addresses the pilots' legitimate needs," Capt. Prater emphasized. The Jazz pilot leadership has taken this step very reluctantly. No strike deadline has been set yet, however the mandatory cooling-off period will expire at midnight on June 12, 2010. Strike action is possible at any time after that date.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union, representing nearly 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org. Jazz Air LP provides regional service on behalf of Air Canada to more than 80 centres across Canada and the United States on more than 800 daily flights.