You Have Control

We want to take this opportunity first and foremost to thank each and every pilot who chose to cast their vote in this all important LEC Chair election, and to congratulate both the successful candidates; Captains Mike Dorey, Blake Murphy, Rob Weiser and Dan Comeau, and the challengers; First Officers Cam Soderberg and Rob Bergeron and Captain Andre Soucy for both their commitment to run and their dedication to lead. Standing for election in order to represent Air Canada pilots and defend our contract is a significant personal sacrifice and we honour all of those volunteers, past and present.

This campaign is the culmination of the work by P4C organizers, candidates and supporters who have met every single week since last spring to discuss, debate and refine the ideas around a better future for the Air Canada pilots. We wanted to bring these ideas to life in a way that would remind every pilot of their own control over their union and their contract. We also know that electing a representative is only one part of that larger democratic control we have as pilots. 

When we engage in decision making collectively, whether voting on a contract or bylaw amendment, attending a local council meeting, or even debating work rules on a layover, we prove that we are paying attention– and that we believe our actions can lead to real improvements for our lives. 

Our association acts in the interests of members only if regular line pilots control the union. Without strong democratic participation, we are vulnerable to outside interests—management, the government, or officials seeking only to preserve their positions. Even a leader with a deep personal commitment to the members’ interests, but who lacks serious input from them, is exposed.

In this campaign we have heard a lot from members, both in support of our vision, but also in fear of what the future might hold for us if we fail to align with management, listen to outside experts or submit to the logic of the market. Labour writer Jim West observes: “Democracy allows, even guarantees, that members will make mistakes—even serious ones. But the research shows there is no evidence that any system other than democracy is less prone to mistakes. Indeed, we have ample evidence that the self-proclaimed experts are fooled at least as often as the members.” Some of the darkest days of our own association may have been avoided had we avoided top-down methods of decision making and taken a more open, democratic approach, engaging regular pilots on critical decisions.

The challenges we face in a post pandemic world can be paralysing. News of airline consolidations, unhelpful governments, scope violations, possible bankruptcies, further pilot furloughs and general austerity hammer us like tidal waves. It is tempting for us to seek security in the form of a heroic union leader or a visionary CEO, but in truth there are no shortcuts out of this crisis. A mobilized membership is the only way to effectively stand against the forces that seek to diminish our profession, erode our contract and convince us there is no alternative. When we organize at the membership level, understanding where we are and where we need to go, and building the informal networks we need to direct our associations activities, we can rediscover our strength as Air Canada pilots.

More work ahead, but first some crewrest

A big part of unionism is fighting exploitation, forced work and overwork– after all everyone needs a break, whether you are an MEC Chairman, committee volunteer or association staffer. Our P4C organizers and supporters have been busy too, constantly on the phone, text, social and email spreading the word about candidates we support as well as the P4C message. After a hard fought election, it is time to step back, take a breath and spend some time away from the movement. For some that means getting back in the flight deck, others spending time with family and friends, and for many of our members on furlough it means looking for work or just trying to make ends meet.

Regardless, when we take a break, we get perspective on what needs to happen next. Our group of organizers will be reconvening in the coming months to start building the next phase of our movement, and looking for candidates we can support in coming elections. If you are interested in joining our discussions, and are willing to dedicate your time and energy organizing your follow pilots, please send us a personal message.

Thank you to our supporters and our readers

As always, we want to extend a sincere thank you to our supporters who allowed their names to stand alongside the organizers, who showed our stickers on flight bags and clipboards, and who were willing to discuss the future of our association. Our movement owes its success to you. 

We also want to thank our regular readers and those who gave sincere feedback. Even if you didn’t support our candidates or our platform, you still played a critical role in the democratic process by engaging with us. It is this kind of respectful consideration that builds unity and solidarity amongst us and will strengthen our group regardless of what path we may choose for ourselves in the future.

In unity,

Pilots For Change