Perimeter Aviation
The tail of a Perimeter Aviation Dash 8-300 at Norway House Airport. Photo: Capt. Duncan Danard (Perimeter Aviation)
At A Glance
Pilots joined ALPA: 2019
Number of pilots/flightcrew members: 160
Pilot bases: Winnipeg and Thompson, Man., and Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Timmins, and Toronto, Ont.
Hubs/key markets: Winnipeg, Man., and Thunder Bay, Ont.
Headquarters: Winnipeg, Man.
Operations: Perimeter operates scheduled passenger/cargo services in Manitoba/Ontario, connecting remote communities of northern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario to larger cities. It also conducts charter flights in these areas and across Canada.
Fleet: 41 aircraft, including Dash 8-100/300s, Metro 2s, Metro 3/23s, and Merlins
Perimeter Aviation pilots have faced ongoing challenges in implementing their first ALPA contract with the company. The friction of negotiations continued into the early stages of implementation, ultimately resulting in Capt. Riley Box, the former Master Executive Council (MEC) chair, and Capt. Josh Poland, the former vice chair, departing the airline. Capt. Brandon Oberdorfer, the former secretary-treasurer, now serves as chair, with Capt. Dustin Bullis as vice chair, leaving the secretary-treasurer post currently vacant. The new leaders have worked hard to achieve some promising results in their initial discussions with management, marking a more respectful and productive tone.
To address persistent issues effectively, the MEC plans to hold more frequent meetings with management, aiming to resolve disagreements early and avoid prolonged grievances. This proactive approach reflects a fresh strategy to ensure that the pilots’ five-year collective agreement is enforced properly for all pilots.
Additionally, the MEC leaders are committed to building community and awareness within the pilot group. Plans for more regular pilot unity-building nights and educational sessions are under way, with the goal of helping pilots fully understand their rights and obligations under the contract. With this renewed focus on communication and education, the MEC intends to create a more unified, informed workforce and pave the way toward fairer implementation of the contract.
