Politics likely pushed Air Canada toward deal with 'unheard of' gains for pilots

Politics, public opinion and salary hikes south of the border helped push Air Canada toward a deal that secures major wage gains for pilots, experts say. The tentative agreement includes a 42 per cent wage hike over four years, according to one source who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. On Sunday, the country's biggest airline and the union representing its 5,200-plus pilots announced they had reached a would-be contract, averting a strike that would have grounded flights and affected some 110,000 passengers per day. Shortly before, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made it plain the two sides should hash out a deal themselves. On Friday, he said the government would not step in to fix the impasse — unlike during a massive railway work stoppage last month and a strike by WestJet mechanics over the Canada Day long weekend. Trudeau said the government respects the right to strike and would only intervene if it became apparent no negotiated deal was possible. Trudeau's government was unlikely to consider back-to-work legislation after the NDP tore up its agreement to support the Liberal minority in Parliament, said John Gradek, who teaches aviation management at McGill University. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party has traditionally toed a more pro-business line, also said last week he was "not going to support pre-empting those negotiations. "We stand with the pilots and their right to fight for a fair deal, good wages."<br/>