In an escalating standoff, Air Canada pilots are warning that up to 70 percent of them are ready to walk away if their pay does not improve. The issue at hand? A significant wage gap compared to their American counterparts, with Canadian pilots earning only half as much as American pilots flying the same aircraft on similar routes.
Charlene Hudy, first officer on the 737 Max and chair of the Air Canada pilots union, has been leading the charge for pay parity. She emphasizes that a decade ago, pilot salaries at Air Canada and United Airlines were nearly identical, but today, American pilots earn twice as much.
The salary range for Canadian pilots spans from approximately $40,000 for new hires to over $200,000 for experienced captains. This stark contrast in compensation has spurred discontent among Canadian pilots, particularly in light of Air Canada’s robust financial performance.
Despite posting a substantial profit of $2.28 billion in 2023, Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau received a $2.6 million bonus. Hudy points out that executives at Air Canada are compensated at rates comparable to their counterparts at legacy airlines in the U.S.
Hudy’s efforts to negotiate fair compensation for Air Canada pilots come amidst dissatisfaction with the airline’s performance, including ranking last in on-time performance among major North American airlines in 2023 and discontinuing routes in western Canada.
The threat of a mass exodus of pilots looms large if fair compensation is not forthcoming. Hudy reports that seven out of ten pilots are considering options such as seeking employment south of the border or leaving the profession altogether. Approximately 500 pilots are actively pursuing visas to work in the United States, according to survey data from the Air Line Pilots Association.
Hudy underscores the importance of equitable compensation for pilots, emphasizing its significance for Air Canada’s future success. While negotiations continue, Hudy maintains that pilots are prepared to take action if necessary to ensure they are valued appropriately.
The escalating tensions highlight the urgent need for Air Canada to address wage disparities and prioritize the well-being and retention of its pilots.