Sunwing pilots ratify collective agreement
TORONTO - Pilots at Sunwing Airlines have ratified their first collective agreement with the charter and vacation air carrier.
The Canadian Auto Workers Union, which represents the 150 pilots, say the agreement was approved by a margin of 78 per cent.
The three-year deal includes a wage increase of up to two per cent per year, retroactive to Dec. 1, 2012, and pension increases.
The union says it will also see increases to annual sick days, maternity benefits and a work-sharing program in an effort to reduce layoffs during the low season.
The deal also includes new hires, but it was not specifically disclosed how many jobs will be created.
The CAW says the agreement will address workers' concerns over pilot fatigue and scheduling issues.
"The solidarity of the members and the bargaining committee's hard work helped ensure a strong agreement for our pilot group while allowing Sunwing Airlines to remain competitive over the long term," said Capt. Dave Matkovich, president of CAW Local 7378.
The pilots had been without a contract since December and became members of the CAW in January 2012.
The union, Canada's largest private sector union, represents 11,600 members in the air transportation industry.
Last month, a tentative deal was reached between Sunwing and the union representing its 900 flight attendants.
It is also the first collective agreement for the flight attendants after they joined the Canadian Union of Public Employees last year.
Sunwing Airlines operates from bases in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
It is a subsidiary of Sunwing Travel Group and a sister company to Sunwing Vacations, Signature Vacations and SellOffVacations.
