Wednesday, January 23, 2008

ALPA to represent pilots at Canada's Wasaya Airways

Wasaya Airways logoThe Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has been certified by the Canada Industrial Relations Board as the official collective bargaining unit for the pilots at Canadian carrier Wasaya Airways.

According to a news release issued by ALPA, the pilots at Wasaya Airways first contacted an officer of the ALPA Canada Board last year. ALPA put together an organizing team, and in November 2007, the team visited the Wasaya pilots during a tour of their bases. ALPA said, "Pilot turnout at the meetings was extremely high, and the tour led to a successful card drive in which Wasaya pilots overwhelmingly chose ALPA to represent them."

Wasaya Airways provides passenger, cargo, and charter operations in northern Ontario. The airline has a fleet of 24 aircraft and employs 70 pilots. Aircraft types include the Pilatus PC12-45, the Hawker Siddeley 748, the Beech 1900D, and the Caravan C208B. Headquartered in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Wasaya Airways also has bases in Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Pickle Lake, and Timmins.

Capt. Jeff Braun, is serving as the interim leader of the Wasaya pilot group.