Labour Relations Advisor

Overview

Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) , the largest airline pilot union worldwide and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization, represents over 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. ALPA seeks an experienced Labour Relations Advisor for our Montreal or Toronto office, located in Etobicoke. Under general supervision and within the limitations of Association policy, this role handles a variety of labour relations assignments while providing assistance to pilot governing bodies and individual members on all subjects that affect their employment.

Handles a variety of labour relations assignments while providing assistance to pilot governing bodies and to individual members on all subjects that affect their employment.

• Provides staff assistance in all phases of negotiating agreements and acts as project manager, coordinating activities during negotiations.
• Researches and analyzes pilot collective bargaining agreements, drafts pilot proposals, and assists in preparation of opening proposals and other contract language.
• Drafts status reports on negotiations and maintains communications with all interested parties.
• Prepares analyses of new agreements and sends summaries to department managers.
• Acts as chief ALPA spokesperson at the bargaining table, participates in direct negotiations and conciliation sessions.
• Writes and/or reviews negotiation and pilot leadership communications with the membership.
• Assists with the contract ratification process and implements the contract once ratified.
• Enforces contracts by answering pilot questions, advising about possible violations, processing disputes to settlement, and preparing cases for arbitration.
• Conducts pilot intake, drafts grievances and appeals, and interacts directly with companies to resolve disputes.
• Serves as ALPA spokesperson in mediation and alternative dispute resolution, drafts grievance submissions to arbitration, and participates in settlement discussions.
• Assists with Transport Canada actions against individual pilots, requiring knowledge of Canadian Air Regulations.
• Provides day‑to‑day assistance to pilot governing bodies and their committee structures, including attending Master Executive Council meetings and helping develop administration of an MEC's Strategic Plan.

Travel, significant and at times on short notice, is required. Local, national, and international travel is 25‑45% of the time; sporadically, up to 75% during end‑stage negotiations.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area (e.g., Labour Law) from an accredited college or university, or equivalent combination of education and practical experience. An advanced degree may substitute for some experience.
• Five (5) years of related experience with the Canada Labour Code, Labour Relations Act, and the Trade Unions Act, preferably in aviation; fifteen (15) or more years strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and/or Transport Canada (TC) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate long‑term projects.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment to formulate decisions and/or solve problems under time pressure and urgent conditions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff, external contacts, senior legal and aviation professionals, and pilots.
• Software proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet. Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and local metropolitan area, and converse with others. Requires sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and moving about the office and traveling locally, nationally, and internationally. Occasional bending, stooping, squatting, or moving objects up to 10 lbs; while traveling, may need to move items weighing up to 50 lbs.

• Non‑elective employer contributions of 14% made to an individual RRSP account after 180 days of employment.
• 15 days paid vacation and 13 holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days per year.
• Generous sick and bereavement leave.
• C…