Porter pilots have filed a Notice of Dispute with the Minister of Labour, requesting conciliation assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), are seeking their first collective agreement as ALPA members.
The Notice to Bargain was filed in September 2025, and this decision marks a significant step in the negotiations process. Capt. Brian Smith, chair of the Porter ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC), stated that after months of waiting for meaningful movement, it is clear that the company is not prepared to engage in real bargaining.
Capt. Smith continued: as Porter management has failed to contribute meaningful proposals to address these concerns, conciliation has become a necessary step to ensure they can secure an industry-standard agreement that provides the predictability and stability their members and their families deserve.
With the request for conciliation, the Minister of Labour now has 15 days to appoint a conciliation officer. Once appointed, the conciliator will work with the parties for 60 days to reach an agreement.
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If both parties remain at an impasse following conciliation, a 21-day cooling-off period would begin before the parties can engage in self-help. Capt. Smith emphasized that Porter pilots need dependable, predictable, and stable working conditions that allow them to balance family life with the demands of their profession.
He noted that management has remained focused on Porter Airlines’ rapid expansion, relying heavily on the professionalism and dedication of pilots, but has failed to ensure that working conditions evolve to reflect their needs. As a result, pilots are working under increasingly unpredictable conditions that have fallen well behind industry standards. This disparity is particularly concerning given the critical role pilots play in ensuring the safety and success of the airline’s operations.
The collective bargaining process is expected to continue, with the goal of securing a fair agreement for Porter pilots. The request for conciliation may lead to a more structured negotiation process, which could potentially result in a more favorable outcome for the pilots.
However, the outcome depends on various factors, including the willingness of both parties to compromise and the effectiveness of the conciliation process. Capt. Brian Smith and the pilots are seeking a fair agreement that reflects the needs of their members and their families.