A message from Gary…
I want to take a moment to thank everyone, candidates and members alike, for being so involved in the debate and discussion on the election, the contract and our association. These are gut wrenching decisions for us as both pilot livelihoods and the future of our contract hang in the balance. We will look back at this crisis as formative for decades to come. I wanted to thank those that were able to join our live gathering last Friday (we had almost thirty pilots attend), and I wanted the opportunity to highlight a few of the questions that came up.
Will you just be pushing for us to join ALPA?
When the Air Canada pilots left CALPA in the 90’s, 4 out of 5 pilots signed cards to form a new union. It was a time many felt CALPA had lost its way, and the next generation of Air Canada pilots took up the cause of organizing themselves into the Air Canada Pilots Association. The contracts that immediately followed are remembered as some of ACPA’s best, thanks in part to the daring young pilots who built up the structural power to strike.
Today is a totally different world from the 90’s. The world is much smaller despite people feeling more isolated than ever, labour power is waning, corporations wield vastly expanded powers and politicians seem like they all live on another planet. The point being, coming together the way we did when we formed ACPA is extremely difficult. Unity is messy, it's not a straight path and the process can strain relationships to a breaking point. Many will view my candidacy as just a push for ALPA. While I am open about my support for a larger union, I know not everyone agrees. I can’t make anyone do anything, and a move to ALPA would need the same kind of support that our founders had when they formed ACPA.
So let’s put ALPA aside for a minute, I want to talk about community.
I envision a future where the top pilot leaders across Canada gather regularly; to identify common issues, to make joint decisions, and ultimately to speak with one voice to the government, industry and public. I also envision that same community of Canadians participating in the international piloting profession together, taking the lead on big issues like safety, automation, diversity and climate. It doesn't matter what we call this community, or how many distinct associations take part, as long as we all participate. Call it whatever you like, but the crisis is here– so let’s get to it!
What about an ACPA forum?
As I speak directly to pilots during this campaign I see an opportunity to build our association’s engagement, and perhaps support some internal unity. That means revisiting the communication platforms we use as a pilot group (yes, including the forum) and exploring new ways to bring them all together. Further, I intend to work together with the other NEM’s to experiment with technology to connect leadership to the entire pilot group, face to face, during the lockdown.
For those that are interested, I have put up a poll to see where people are at on bringing the online communities together in one place. Click here to do the survey.
Also, I want to look for ways to do business in a more open and transparent fashion. I have some ideas, but this article by Hans Rollman does a good job introducing ideas around open table bargaining. Some of ACPA’s strongest ratifications have come by including a wider cast of pilots involved in the bargaining process, a practice we should start thinking about as we look ahead to 2024.
Why Pilots for Change?
Because organizing is power. P4C organizers are passionately vocal, righteously indignant, and deeply committed to the cause of unions. These traits can sometimes make other pilots dismissive of their views. The labour movement has an official name for these rabble-rousers: activists.
Activists are the steam engine of union power. They can win arguments, rally their fellow pilots, agitate management and are always ready for a fight– they are the agents of change. Just like ACPA’s founders, these are pilots who aren’t afraid to envision a different future or stand up for what they believe is right. Instead of silencing activists, I believe we should seek to engage them in the service of our association’s wider goals. If activists are onside, the sky's the limit.
Thanks!
Finally, I want to thank the other candidates for standing up to lead during some of our profession’s darkest hours. The cause of unions is just and I consider you my brothers despite any differences we may have.
A vote for me is a vote for active engagement within our pilot community. I believe in the power of pilots coming together to leave our profession better than we found it. I respectfully ask for your vote.
If you have already cast your vote, thank you. If you haven’t voted yet, now is the time to cast your ballot for change. The election closes at noon ET on February 1st so please remind your fellow colleagues to do the same.
As always, thank you for subscribing to this newsletter and for choosing to stay engaged in our profession.
In solidarity,
Gary