Porter Airlines Pilots Join Union — What It Means for Employee Rights

Pilots at Porter Airlines have officially joined the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), marking a major shift in Canada’s aviation industry.

According to Airline Geeks:

• The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) recently certified ALPA as the bargaining representative for over 800 Porter pilots
• Porter is the ALPA’s 43rd pilot group and 22nd within Canada.

Quotes and Statements

With this certification, ALPA now represents 95% of Canada’s professional pilots, according to Tim Perry, ALPA’s Canada President.

• The union represents 79,000 pilots across Canada and the US
• “We are proud to welcome the pilots of Porter Airlines to ALPA and expand the strength and power of our international union,” said ALPA President Jason Ambrosi.

Porter’s Growth and Shift to Unionization

Porter, headquartered in Toronto, has been one of Canada’s fastest-growing carriers in recent years — expanding routes at Toronto Pearson and Ottawa International, and now serving 45 destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Previously Canada’s largest non-unionized airline, Porter’s shift to union representation is significant for both the company and its pilots.

Rights of Non-Unionized vs. Unionized Employees

Unionization changes how employers and employees handle disputes, contract negotiations, and termination.

Unionized Employees

• Have coverage through a collective agreement, which their union negotiates
• Must resolve disputes through the union’s grievance process, not through an employment lawyer, mediation, or the courts
• The collective agreements sets severance, termination rights, and job protections — which is often far less than what non-unionized employees receive under employment laws

Non-Unionized Employees

• Have protection through federal or provincial employment laws, including the Canada Labour Code for federally regulated industries like airlines
• Can negotiate their own severance package and pursue wrongful dismissal claims individually, through an employment lawyer and the courts
• Can enforce human rights protections independently, without going through a union
• Non-unionized employees have greater flexibility to seek higher severance pay or challenge terminations than unionized workers, whose rights are bound by the collective agreement

How We Help Non-Union Airline Pilots

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve successfully represented non-unionized airline pilots across Ontario, Alberta, and BC in:

• Wrongful dismissal claims
• Severance negotiations
• Human rights and discrimination cases

If you are a non-unionized pilot or aviation worker who is facing termination, forced resignation, or workplace discrimination, you have more legal options than you realize. Even in a heavily unionized industry, many aviation roles remain non-unionized — and we ensure those employees receive full compensation under the law.

Recently Let Go or Treated Unfairly at Work?

Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP before you take action. Our team of employment lawyers can explain your options and protect your rights.

You may have a right to up to 24 months’ pay in severance pay — and can file a claim for wrongful dismissal.

• 👥 Justice for over 50,000 clients across Canada
• 💰 Millions recovered in severance and compensation
• ⚖️ No win, no fee — you don’t pay unless we win*
• ⭐ 3,112 5-star Google reviews in Canada (4.7 average)
• 🏆 Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms by The Globe and Mail

* Conditions apply. Not all cases qualify.

Call us at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation.