Air Canada pilots decry 'embarrassing' pay gap with US after Delta deal

Air Canada pilots are pressing for higher pay in the run-up to fresh contract talks, following recent gains secured by pilots at US carrier Delta, union representatives told Reuters. A contract between Delta and its pilots that came into effect on Thursday delivers a 34% pay increase over four years, driving pressure on other US carriers to reach similar deals. It is also galvanizing pilots at Canada's largest carrier. Delta's latest hourly pay rates are up to 45% higher than current Air Canada hourly pay rates, the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) said by email. Air Canada pilots have received a 2% wage increase per year, since 2014, said ACPA, which represents about 4,500 pilots. They could potentially begin salary talks as early as this year, or in 2024, the union said. "Pilots in the US have recently secured significant wage increases and other contractual improvements, creating an embarrassing gap with Canada," Charlene Hudy, a top ACPA union leader, said in a statement. The talks come as North American carriers are collectively recruiting thousands of pilots to meet a rebound in travel demand following a pandemic-induced slump. Air Canada did not respond to a request for comment. ACPA is in talks to possibly join the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the world's largest pilots' union, representing more than 60,000 pilots. ALPA Canada President Tim Perry said many US carriers recognize the importance of crew to their business model "by providing improved wages and working conditions for their pilots, in most cases far surpassing those of their Canadian counterparts."<br/>