Butch Grafton founded the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association in the States. This is a step towards having helicopter pilots recognized as professionals. HEPAC can do the same for Canadians. Workers with professional status can more easily find work in the States.
Canadian pilots are generally held in high regard in the States due mainly to the wide variety of experience that the Canadian environment provides them.
The unionization of helicopter pilots has had positive benefits. Wages are going up. Hours worked are going down. Grievance procedures are in place. Pilots who find themselves with issues because they have refused to fly over-grossed machines, or in questionable weather, or live in substandard accommodations, or endure 42 consecutive 14 hour days no longer have to struggle against management by themselves
Both employers and employees agree to a contract. No longer are pilots subject to the whims of ‘at will employment’. There is a benefit for the employer as well. Customers who contract with unionized operators have the comfort of knowing that the operator’s labour force is stable.
While HEPAC is not a union, if enough pilots get behind it positive results will accrue, perhaps in a less confrontational manner than a union would produce.
Canadian pilots are generally held in high regard in the States due mainly to the wide variety of experience that the Canadian environment provides them.
The unionization of helicopter pilots has had positive benefits. Wages are going up. Hours worked are going down. Grievance procedures are in place. Pilots who find themselves with issues because they have refused to fly over-grossed machines, or in questionable weather, or live in substandard accommodations, or endure 42 consecutive 14 hour days no longer have to struggle against management by themselves
Both employers and employees agree to a contract. No longer are pilots subject to the whims of ‘at will employment’. There is a benefit for the employer as well. Customers who contract with unionized operators have the comfort of knowing that the operator’s labour force is stable.
While HEPAC is not a union, if enough pilots get behind it positive results will accrue, perhaps in a less confrontational manner than a union would produce.