Jazz Air (Air Canada Jazz) (Halifax) is facing a possible strike by its pilots. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) released the results of the strike ballot conducted by the pilots of Jazz Air LP. An overwhelming 99 percent of pilots voted in favor of a strike should it become necessary to conclude a fair collective agreement with Jazz Air.

The Jazz pilots have been operating under the same contract since 2004.

According to ALPA, “Over the same time period, Jazz has distributed more than $475 million in profits directly to the Jazz Air Income Fund unit holders. The Jazz pilots work under a contract that has seen no adjustments to allowances, pension or benefits, and further pay adjustments to concessionary pay scales that fall well below the rate of inflation. Their collective agreement had an expiry date of June 30, 2009.”

Under the Canada Labour Code, both the strike authorization vote and written notification to the Company are required steps before any withdrawal of services can begin. Of the pilots eligible to vote, more than 90 percent participated in the balloting. At the end of the mandatory cooling-off period, Jazz pilots will legally be allowed to go on strike if there is not a new agreement.

Copyright Photo: Norbert G. Raith. Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) C-FZSI (msn 7160) is pictured on final approach at Atlanta while operating for Air Canada Jazz.