Latest news with #TimPerry
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
What can be done about Canada's air traffic controller shortage?
Air Line Pilots Association Canada president Tim Perry outlines where the industry is at today and what progress he hopes to see as the country faces an air traffic controller shortage, which an Air Canada pilot called out during a recent flight.
CBC
18-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
WestJet backs down from TFW hiring plan
Calgary-based airline cites 'economic uncertainty' for reversal WestJet says it no longer plans to use the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program to hire captains for its regional Encore airline, a decision welcomed by the union. In an email to CBC News, a spokesperson for WestJet said the move was due to "economic uncertainty." "We are referring to the heightened unpredictability most businesses are facing in the current economic climate, including but not limited to demand," the Calgary-based airline said. "WestJet, like many airlines, are constantly assessing the demand for travel, and making adjustments as required." WestJet had previously said the program was among several avenues it was pursuing to address a labour shortage. "We're very happy," said Capt. Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, which had criticized WestJet for pursuing the TFW program rather than improving working conditions to attract more domestic applicants. "This is the outcome that we were looking for," he said. Amid the final weeks of the federal election campaign, Perry said the union now hopes to push the various political parties for commitments to reform the TFW program, if elected. In particular, Perry said he would like to see a stronger requirement that the government consult with relevant labour groups before giving an employer a green light to use the program.
CBC
18-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
WestJet backs down from TFW hiring plan
WestJet says it no longer plans to use the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program to hire captains for its regional Encore airline, a decision welcomed by the union. In an email to CBC News, a spokesperson for WestJet said the move was due to "economic uncertainty." The airline had previously said the program was among several avenues it was pursuing to address a labour shortage. "We're very happy," said Capt. Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada, which had criticized WestJet for pursuing the TFW program rather than improving working conditions to attract more domestic applicants. "This is the outcome that we were looking for," he said. Amid the final weeks of the federal election campaign, Perry said the union now hopes to push the various political parties for commitments to reform the TFW program, if elected. In particular, Perry said he would like to see a stronger requirement that the government consult with relevant labour groups before giving an employer a green light to use the program.
CBC
25-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
WestJet pilots ask judge to nix approval of temporary foreign workers in the cockpit
The union representing WestJet pilots is asking a judge to quash federal approval of temporary foreign workers in the cockpit. In an application it says was filed Monday, the Air Line Pilots Association petitioned the Federal Court to declare invalid a government decision green-lighting temporary work permits at WestJet Encore earlier this month. The filing says the airline requested about 60 permits for pilots from India and South Africa under the temporary foreign workers program. Tim Perry, who heads the union's Canadian wing, says it was not consulted and that the move could erode "safety margins" and undercut wage gains. WestJet says it asked the government to assess whether temporary foreign workers are needed, a necessary step before hiring from abroad can take place. It says none have been brought on board so far. The temporary foreign worker program, which allows non-permanent residents to work in Canada for limited periods, employs hundreds of thousands of people across industries ranging from agriculture and construction to hospitality and health care.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pilots' union calls WestJet's use of Temporary Foreign Worker program 'problematic'
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is calling out WestJet Airline Ltd.'s use of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, and the government's approval of the company's application, to fill vacancies during what the industry says is a pilot labour shortage. Tim Perry, who leads the Canadian arm of the group, said the pilots union is deeply concerned that WestJet is citing an inability to attract Canadian pilots to its airline as the rationale for hiring temporary foreign pilots. 'Their request to hire foreign pilots is problematic and short-sighted and will cause irreparable damage to labour relations,' he said on Friday. The pilots union said WestJet's management team has failed to address the issue of career progression and job security for pilots within the company. It said there are more practical solutions to attracting and retaining skilled professional pilots that do not involve utilizing the program. ALPA, which represents 95 per cent of professional Canadian pilots, reached a collective bargaining agreement with WestJet in May 2023, bumping its pilots' pay by 24 per cent over four years. At the time, several North American airlines were also set for negotiations with pilots amid labour shortages. The group said there should be considerations required when assessing highly skilled, licensed, unionized workers employed under terms set out through collective bargaining. Flair cancels summer Nashville route as state blames trade war Ottawa lays out path for pensions to invest in Canada's airports 'As we have said before, ALPA Canada supports legal immigration, which includes a stable pathway to citizenship, with labour mobility rights. However, we do not support the status of these employees in Canada when it is under the control and subject to the whims of an employer,' Perry said. • Email: dpaglinawan@ Sign in to access your portfolio
