For more than two years, Bearskin and Perimeter pilots have actively sought a new contract with management that will provide the pilots with a fair industry standard contract. Unfortunately, through foot dragging and labour practices reminiscent of a bygone era, more pilots are opting to leave our hometown airlines for better opportunities elsewhere. This exodus of talented pilots comfortable with our challenging flying environment is resulting in our carriers’ inability to properly staff our airline and provide necessary services to our critical northern communities let alone accepting new business opportunities enabling our airlines to grow.

There is one clear solution to this problem, and that is to negotiate an agreement that meets the immediate needs of our pilots. Continuing to engage in regressive negotiations and other questionable approaches to collective bargaining do not advance our mutual goal of providing the safest and best service for our passengers and charter clients.

It is time for Bearskin and Perimeter’s management, along with their owners, the Exchange Income Corporation (EIC), to recognize that their intransigent bargaining behaviour is driving us further away from an agreement and closer towards lawful self-help. Only through rolling up our sleeves and focusing on collaborative problem solving without unnecessary distractions and backtracking will we achieve an agreement that demonstrates to Canadian pilots that Bearskin and Perimeter are a world class airline to join and remain at throughout their careers.

Our passengers, our charter clients, and our pilots all deserve better.